A trademark typically protects brand names and logos used on goods and services. A patent protects an invention.Trademarks, patents, and copyrights are different types of intellectual property. The USPTO grants patents and registers trademarks. Federal Registration Requirements. Learn how to protect your trademark through the federal registration process. You can file an application to register your trademark or service mark with an intenttouse (ITU) filing basis. Patents are intended to protect inventions of a functional or design nature. Is a trademark search necessary? What is a trademark and a service mark?