Protecting Your IdeasProtecting Your Ideas
Type of Type of
ProtectionProtection
What It What It
Covers Covers
Time Time
RequiredRequired
CostCost
CopyrightCopyright Works of original Works of original
authorshipauthorship
About 2 weeksAbout 2 weeksAbout $30About $30
TrademarkTrademark Logos, names, Logos, names,
phrasesphrases
6 – 12 months6 – 12 months$900 - $1,500$900 - $1,500
Design patentDesign patentLook of an Look of an
original productoriginal product
Up to 2 yearsUp to 2 years$5,000 - $20,000$5,000 - $20,000
Utility patentUtility patentHow an original How an original
product worksproduct works
2 – 5 years2 – 5 years $5,000 - $20,000$5,000 - $20,000
Business method Business method
patentpatent
A business A business
processprocess
2 – 5 years2 – 5 years $5,000 - $20,000$5,000 - $20,000
Source: Anne Field, “How to Knock Out Knock Offs,” Source: Anne Field, “How to Knock Out Knock Offs,” Business WeekBusiness Week, March 14, 2005. , March 14, 2005.