What's the difference between copyright and a trademark?

In Plain English

A trademark is like a brand name or logo that identifies and distinguishes goods or services from one business from those of another. Think of the Nike "swoosh" or the McDonald's "Golden Arches." Trademarks can be registered to give the owner exclusive rights to use them.

Copyright, on the other hand, protects original creative works, such as books, music, and movies. It gives the creator exclusive rights to control how their work is used, copied, and distributed.

So, a trademark protects brands, while copyright protects creative expression.

Detailed Explanation

A trademark, as defined in section 17 of the Trade Marks Act 1995, is a "sign used, or intended to be used, to distinguish goods or services dealt with or provided in the course of trade by a person from goods or services so dealt with or provided by any other person." The Trade Marks Act 1995 provides for the registration of trademarks (section 19) and grants the registered owner exclusive rights to use the trademark in relation to the goods and/or services for which it is registered (section 20).

Copyright, on the other hand, is governed by the Copyright Act 1968. This Act protects original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works (see "work" definition in Copyright Act 1968 Chunk 24). Copyright grants the owner exclusive rights to control the reproduction, publication, performance, and communication of their work to the public.