Most founders obsess over logos and taglines—but forget to legally own them. That’s where Copyright, ™ and ® quietly decide your business future.
1️⃣ Copyright – for your creative brain
What it protects: original literary, artistic, musical, software and other creative works—books, blogs, videos, photos, designs, jingles, UI, code, etc.
How it works: protection starts automatically once the work is created and fixed in a tangible form. Registration is not mandatory, but it gives strong legal evidence in disputes.
Who it suits:
Content creators, agencies, designers
Edtech, SaaS, media, course creators
Anyone whose content is a core asset
Where to apply (India): Official Copyright Office e‑filing portal: https://copyright.gov.in
2️⃣ Trademark (™ / ®) – for your brand identity
What it protects: brand identifiers—name, logo, tagline, symbol, label, even distinctive shapes or colours that distinguish your goods/services in the market.
™ vs ®:
™ – you’re claiming the mark, even before registration.
® – you’ve registered it under the Trade Marks Act and now enjoy statutory protection.
Duration: 10 years per registration, renewable indefinitely as long as the mark is in use.
Who it suits:
Product & service brands (D2C, SaaS, agencies, restaurants, apps, etc.)
Anyone serious about building a recognisable, defensible brand
Where to apply (India): IP India (Trade Marks): https://ipindia.gov.in Direct e‑filing for trademarks:
https://ipindiaonline.gov.in/trademarkefiling(ipindiaonline.gov.in in Bing)
3️⃣ “Registered” – what people usually mean
In business conversations, “registered” is often used loosely to mean:
Registered Trademark (®): your brand name/logo/tagline is officially recorded with the Trade Marks Registry.
Registered Copyright: your creative work is recorded with the Copyright Office, giving you documentary proof of ownership.
So when someone says “Is your brand registered?”, they’re usually asking:
“Do you legally own your name/logo/content—or can someone else grab it first?”
4️⃣ How this protects and grows your business
Prevents copycats: You can legally stop others from using confusingly similar names, logos, or copying your content.
Builds trust & valuation: Investors, partners and customers take you more seriously when your IP is clean and protected.
Enables licensing & monetisation: You can license your brand or content, create franchises, or sell the IP as an asset.
Reduces future legal headaches: Early registration is far cheaper than rebranding or fighting disputes later.
5️⃣ Which one should you prioritise?
If you’re building a brand name, logo, app, or product line: → Start with Trademark (™ → ®).
If your main asset is content, design, or code: → Prioritise Copyright registration for key works.
If you’re scaling and fundraising: → Do both—clean IP is a huge plus in due diligence.
Most businesses wait until there’s a problem. The smart ones protect their IP before growth explodes.
If you’re a founder, creator, or small business owner and you haven’t thought about Copyright vs Trademark yet, this is your sign to add “IP protection” to your 2026 roadmap.
