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definitions

copyright

[ kop-ee-rahyt ]
/ ˈkɒp iˌraɪt /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR copyright ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the exclusive right to make copies, license, and otherwise exploit a literary, musical, or artistic work, whether printed, audio, video, etc.: works granted such right by law on or after January 1, 1978, are protected for the lifetime of the author or creator and for a period of 70 years after his or her death.

adjective

of or relating to copyrights.
Also cop·y·right·ed. protected by copyright.

verb (used with object)

to secure a copyright on.

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RELATED WORDS

patent, trust, cartel, holding, ownership, exclude, possess, utilize, absorb, syndicate, proprietorship, corner, pool, oligopoly, consortium, engross, use, acquire, consume, devour

Nearby words

  1. copying machine,
  2. copyist,
  3. copyleft,
  4. copyread,
  5. copyreader,
  6. copyright block,
  7. copyright deposit library,
  8. copyright social conflict,
  9. copyrighted,
  10. copytaker

Origin of copyright

First recorded in 1725–35; copy + right
Related formscop·y·right·a·ble, adjectivecop·y·right·er, nounun·cop·y·right·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for copyright

British Dictionary definitions for copyright

copyright

/ (ˈkɒpɪˌraɪt) /

noun

the exclusive right to produce copies and to control an original literary, musical, or artistic work, granted by law for a specified number of years (in Britain, usually 70 years from the death of the author, composer, etc, or from the date of publication if later)Symbol: (c)

adjective

(of a work, etc) subject to or controlled by copyright

verb

(tr) to take out a copyright on
Derived Formscopyrightable, adjectivecopyrighter, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for copyright

copyright

n.

"the right to make or sell copies," 1735, from copy + right (n.). As a verb, from 1806 (implied in past participle adjective copyrighted).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Culture definitions for copyright (1 of 2)

copyright

The legal protection given to published works, forbidding anyone but the author from publishing or selling them. An author can transfer the copyright to another person or corporation, such as a publishing company.

Note

The symbol (see also symbol) for copyright is ©.

Culture definitions for copyright (2 of 2)

copyright

A grant of an exclusive right to produce or sell a book, motion picture, work of art, musical composition, software, or similar product during a specified period of time.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.