A Trademark identifies and protects usage of "a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design" and is administered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
A Patent, also administered by the USPTO, is "a limited duration property right relating to an invention.
A Copyright, administered by the US Copyright Office, protects text, art and music.
The primary tool required for Patent and Trademark registration is the suite of online resources located at the USPTO: http://www.uspto.gov/. Tools for management and protection are provided by independent companies offering central asset management, automated asset identification software, digital fingerprinting and other services related to eliminating violation of brand's Trademark, Copyright and Patent Management.