What Is a Trademark? Resources are available for Illinois residents to help inventors and entrepreneurs learn more about protecting their intellectual property.Our Chicago trademark attorneys provide Illinois and USPTO (federal) trademark registration services to businesses of all sizes. Examples should not be stapled, glued or taped to the application. A patent can protect an invention. A copyright can protect an author's works. Trademarks, patents, and copyrights are different types of intellectual property. The USPTO grants patents and registers trademarks. A trademark protects a company's branding through things like logos, slogans, and product names. Getting a patent in Illinois is the same as any other state.