Which statement best describes the relationship among trademarks, patents, and copyrights under U.S. federal law?

• A. They are all regulated by state law.
• B. Only patents are protected federally.
• C. Trademarks, patents, and copyrights are protected under federal law.
• D. Copyrights and trademarks are federal; patents are state.

Answer: (C)

The central idea is that trademarks, patents, and copyrights all have protections established by federal law in the United States. Each category has its own federal statute: trademarks are governed nationwide by the Lanham Act, patents by the Patent Act, and copyrights by the Copyright Act. Federal protection provides uniform rights across all states and allows enforcement in federal courts, with registration offering additional advantages (such as stronger remedies or presumptions in certain cases). While there can be related actions at the state level—like common-law trademark rights arising from use or state contract issues—the foundational protections come from federal law, making the statement that all three are protected federally the best description.