Patents and trademarks are essential elements of any piece of intellectual property. The two types of patents include design and utility. For the patent to be issued, it must pass several tests. Patents are monitored and protected by the United States Department of Commerce. In the U.S., the inventor is required to apply for the patent. Being given a patent might take two years or more. Trademarks are a way to protect intellectual property and it can include the following: brand names, logos, designs etc... Unlike patents, it is not necessary to apply for trademarks. For your trademark to hold up, you must make sure to follow these three requirements: nobody else can be using the trademark you are interested in, this trademark cannot be a common or descriptive phrase and you must make sure you use the trademark on regular basis. Using a trademark on a regular basis can be done by simply placing this symbol, ﾙ, after your intellectual property on various materials. Trademarks will not expire, as long as you do not stop using them.