Which type of intellectual property protection is suited for photographs taken during a wedding?

Photographs taken during a wedding are best protected by copyright because this type of intellectual property law is specifically designed to safeguard the rights of creators of original works, including visual art, music, literature, and photography. When a photographer captures images, those photographs are considered original works of authorship. Copyright automatically grants the photographer exclusive rights to use, reproduce, and distribute those images, provided they are fixed in a tangible medium. This protection helps prevent unauthorized use by others, allowing the photographer to retain control over how their work is shared and used.

In contrast, patents are intended for inventions and processes, not artistic works. Trademarks protect brand names, logos, and symbols that distinguish goods or services in the marketplace, while trade secrets refer to confidential business information that gives a competitive edge. None of those forms of protection would adequately cover the artistic expression found in wedding photographs. Thus, copyright is the appropriate choice for ensuring that the rights associated with wedding photos are properly protected.