Frequently Asked Questions # 24

24. What are patents, copyrights, and trademarks?

Patents, copyrights, and trademarks, as well as "know how" or trade secrets are often referred to collectively as "intellectual property". A patent is granted to the inventor of a product to exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention. A copyright is provided to the authors of original works such as literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. A trademark is any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination used by a person to identify the goods made or sold by that person from others.

For more information, there is a US Patent and Trademark Depository Library located at the Arkansas State Library, One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. The reference staff is available to assist individuals in using the resources, but cannot do the actual research. There are a number of books in our research library pertaining to patents and trademarks.

Refer to: Arkansas State Library - Patent and Trademark Depository Library

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