1. Different objects: Patents protect technical content, including inventions, new uses and designs.
Trademarks protect the trademark itself, such as graphics, text, their combination, or a three-dimensional trademark.
2. Different periods: Patent protection period is limited, 20 years for inventions, 10 years for new models and designs, and cannot be renewed upon expiration.
Trademark protection is for 10 years, but it can be renewed upon expiration. Therefore, as long as it is renewed every 10 years, you can have the exclusive right to use the trademark indefinitely.
3. The application procedures are different: a patent must be applied to the Patent Office of the State Intellectual Property Office. After preliminary examination (new model and appearance) and substantive examination (invention), the patent right is finally granted.
The trademark is applied to the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. After preliminary review, the registration is approved after no objection is announced.
4. Different protection content: Patent protection prohibits the manufacture, use, offering for sale, sale & import of products that are identical or similar to the patent.
Trademark protection does not allow the same trademark to be registered on similar goods. If the protected trademark is a well-known trademark, others cannot mark the well-known trademark even on different types of goods.