Mame wrote:I heard Paris Hilton was trying to patent her latest stupid saying: "That's Hot!"
How do you patent words, for crying out loud?
You can't. It's impossible.
Here's a very basic primer:
Copyright: for original creative works fixed in a tangible medium. Lasts for a set period of time (under the Berne Convention, it's the life of the author plus 50 years for works by a single author). Based on statute and international agreement. Registration no longer required. Does not protect ideas or facts.
Trademark: for distinctive symbols or words used in commerce. Lasts indefinitely, as long as it is used. Based on statute. Usually must be registered. Does not protect the symbol or word outside of the commercial context.
Patent: for scientific or technological innovations. Lasts for a limited period of years (in the US, I believe the term is 20 years). Based on statute. Must be registered. Does not protect artistic or creative expressions.
Right of Publicity: for images or likenesses of persons. Based on constitutional and common law rights to privacy. Previously limited to the life of the person, but now extends beyond death in certain cases (may be linked at that point to trademark). Protects only the right of a person to exploit his/her own likeness for commercial purposes.
