A trademark protects the brand elements that distinguish your business—such as your business name, logo, slogan, or product packaging. This is what sets your business apart in the marketplace.
Examples of trademarks:
Your company name (e.g. Lum Law Group®)
Your logo or symbol
Taglines or unique packaging
If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or product developer, you’ll likely need a trademark to legally protect your brand identity.
Fun fact: Trademarks are registered with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office), and LUM Law Group can help with your application from start to finish.
A copyright protects original creative work such as:
Blog articles
Photos and videos
Software code
Artwork or graphic designs
Music and written content
If you’re a content creator, designer, writer, or educator, copyright law protects your work from being copied or used without permission.
Unlike trademarks, copyright protection is automatic once your work is created. However, official registration offers stronger legal protection.
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
| If You Have… | You Need a… |
|---|---|
| A business name or logo | Trademark |
| Original content or art | Copyright |
| A brand with both logo + content | Both |
Not securing your IP rights can lead to:
Someone else registering your brand name
Copycats using your content without permission
Expensive legal battles
Damage to your brand reputation
By working with an experienced trademark and copyright attorney in Los Angeles, like LUM Law Group, you reduce the risk of legal disputes and increase the value of your brand.
Trademark:
Ideally before you launch or publicly use your business name or logo. This helps prevent infringement and ownership conflicts.
Copyright:
You automatically own your work once it’s created, but registration is key if you ever need to enforce your rights in court.
LUM Law Group has helped entrepreneurs, creators, and startups across California navigate complex intellectual property law with confidence.
Whether you need help registering a trademark, filing a copyright, or protecting your brand globally, we’ve got your back.
Confused about trademark vs copyright? Not sure what you need?
Talk to an intellectual property lawyer today.
Book your consultation with LUM Law Group to get personalized legal advice.
At Lum Law Group, every case is approached with a commitment to excellence and a focus on achieving the best possible outcome. With decades of experience in immigration, business, and intellectual property law, we provide personalized legal solutions that set you up for success.
