Copyright and trademark help to protect different types of intellectual property. The distinctions between copyright and trademark are important; they protect different things and are enforced through different laws.
Copyright law protects original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. It does not protect ideas themselves; rather, it protects unique expressions of ideas. For example, copyright can protect things like books, song recordings, and movies. Copyrights can also protect things as "small" as a digital photograph or a single written sentence. In the context of Meetup, copyright may protect the content on a group page (such as the description of the group) from being used by other groups. For more information, visit: U.S. Copyright Office: Frequently Asked Questions or Teaching Copyright, a project by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Trademarks protect specific words, phrases, or designs that identify the source of goods or services. For example, trademark rights often protect things like product names and company logos. For more information, visit: United States Patent and Trademark Office: Frequently Asked Questions
For more information about copyright and trademark, see the following Help section entry:
Where can I get more information about the legal issues related to using Meetup?
Note: This is general information and not legal advice about any specific situation. You should consult a lawyer for advice about your specific situation.