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Trademark vs. Copyright vs. Patent: What Every Founder Must Know

June 2, 2025
12:19 pm

Trademark vs. Copyright vs. Patent: What Every Founder Must Know

What Every Founder Needs to Know First

Your billion-dollar idea can die… just because you didn’t protect it the right way.
Yes, your logo, your app, your content, even your innovative method – all are exposed if you don’t understand the difference between a Trademark, Copyright, and Patent.
And sadly, most Indian startup founders have no clue.

How One Mistake Cost a Founder Everything

Meet Rohan, a passionate tech founder from Pune. After two years of blood, sweat, and ramen noodles, he launched his AI-driven edtech platform. Within 6 months, it caught fire—school partnerships, viral reels, investor talks.
But one day, his inbox blew up:

Hey, someone launched an app with your exact logo and tagline!
He rushed to consult a lawyer, only to hear:
You never filed a trademark. You have no legal rights.
Rohan was stunned. But I designed it myself!
It didn’t matter. He lost the brand he built, the trust he earned, and eventually, the business.

Why This Could Happen to You Too

Rohan is not alone. 90% of Indian startups fail to protect their intellectual property because they don’t know:
What should be Trademarked

What deserves a Copyright

And what needs a Patent

They often mix them up, or worse, do nothing at all—until it’s too late.
And here’s the harsh truth:
Legal ignorance is not an excuse in court.

The Simple Way to Understand IP Protection

Here’s the magic fix:

Understand what to protect—and how.

Let’s break it down clearly:

Type	What It Protects	Ideal for	Validity
Trademark	Brand Name, Logo	Business identity elements	Renewable every 10 yrs
Copyright	Creative Work	Software code, blogs, videos	Lifetime + 60 years
Patent	Invention/Method	New product/process	20 years

So, if you’re a founder:

Your logo and name need a Trademark
Your app UI, code, videos need a Copyright
Your tech innovation needs a Patent

And all of these need to be filed properly and timely, or you risk losing your rights

The Smartest Step You Can Take Today

Legal Suvidha has helped 700+ Indian startups secure their intellectual property—without the jargon, delays, or confusion.
With our Founder-Friendly IP Protection Package, we:
✅ Assess your business model
✅ Identify what needs Trademark, Copyright, or Patent
✅ Handle filings with zero hassle
✅ Monitor renewals & objections
You built something amazing. Now it’s time to shield it like a fortress.
Don’t be the next Rohan.