Hi Reader!

When you look at your logo, what do you see? Is it something you love? Does it represent everything you’ve poured into your business over the years? Does it reflect your clients or customers?

A logo is more than just a pretty image—it’s the visual representation of your brand’s identity. It tells the world who you are, what you stand for, and what makes your business unique.

But if someone designs a logo that’s a little too close for comfort, is your logo protected?

That’s exactly what I covered in this week’s blog post about how copyright and trademark can protect your logo. Understanding the difference between these two legal tools could be the key to safeguarding your logo.

Copyright vs. Trademark: What’s the Difference?

Let’s break it down:

• Copyright protects your exact logo. Think of it as protection for the artistic elements—the colors, shapes, and unique features that make your logo one-of-a-kind. But unless you have a highly graphic logo, your copyright protection in your logo will be limited.
• Trademark, on the other hand, protects your logo as a brand identifier. Your logo likely has trademark protection if it doesn’t merely describe your products or services and doesn’t contain your personal name. Trademark law helps ensure that no other business in your industry can use a logo that’s confusingly similar to yours, which could mislead your customers.

Both copyright and trademark are powerful tools, but they protect different parts of your logo. Understanding how they work together can help you make sure your logo—and by extension, your brand—stays uniquely yours.

Ready to dive into the nitty gritty? Head here to read the full post.

Chat soon,

P.S. Ask Kiff is returning next Thursday at 9 AM Pacific | noon Eastern on the artist's J.D. Facebook page! What should I cover for the first session? Drop your vote below. (Voting ends on Monday.)

Got a question you want me to cover in a future session? Hit reply and let me know!

❤️ Easy to understand legal resources should be available to every creative, regardless of their financial situation. If one of my resources has helped you and you would like to say “thank you”, you can make a contribution here. ❤️