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.

Nearby words

copying machine, copyist, copyleft, copyread, copyreader, copyright, copyright block, copyright deposit library, copyright social conflict, copytaker, copywriter

Origin of copyright

First recorded in 1725–35; copy + right

Related forms

cop·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

Copyright © 2014 by Alain Mabanckou from Letter to Jimmy (translated by Sara Meli Ansari).
Living Black & Gay in the ’50s|Alain Mabanckou|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So what I always tell the kids is to be careful about signing to a label and always protect your copyright.
Wyclef Jean Talks Lauryn Hill, the Yele Haiti Controversy, and Chris Christie|Marlow Stern|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For an artist like myself, the most important part is the publishing, and owning my own copyright.
Wyclef Jean Talks Lauryn Hill, the Yele Haiti Controversy, and Chris Christie|Marlow Stern|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
State officials were not amused, and are suing the advocacy group for copyright infringement.
Living in Louisiana’s Tragic Health-Care Limbo|Linda Marsa|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Kim is not thought to be broke just yet, but he will be soon, as movie studios seek to recoup $100m in copyright fees.
The Zillionaires Who Lost Everything|Tom Sykes|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Copyright proprietors should not be required to disclose it otherwise, satisfying the curiosity of business rivals and others.
Arguments before the Committee on Patents of the House of Representatives, conjointly with the Senate Committee on Patents, on H.R. 19853, to amend and consolidate the acts respecting copyright|United States Committee on Patents
The shortest term of copyright exists in Greece, where it endures for but fifteen years from publication.
International Copyright|George Haven Putnam
During his parliamentary career, in 1837, he was instrumental in passing the copyright act.
Hawthorne and His Circle|Julian Hawthorne
The copyright fees are not, however, the most valuable assets of the office.
Arguments before the Committee on Patents of the House of Representatives, conjointly with the Senate Committee on Patents, on H.R. 19853, to amend and consolidate the acts respecting copyright|United States Committee on Patents
It is entirely independent of the copyright laws, and their extension into the domain of art.
The Right to Privacy|Samuel D. Warren

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 Forms

copyrightable, 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

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

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.