copyright

[kop-ee-rahyt]

noun

1. 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 an author or creator and for a period of 70 years after their death.

adjective

1. of or relating to copyrights.

2. Also copyrighted. protected by copyright.

verb (used with object)

1. to secure a copyright on.

copyright

¹

/ ˈkɒpɪˌraɪt /

noun

1. (c). 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)

adjective

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

verb

1. (tr) to take out a copyright on

©

²

symbol

1. copyright

copyright

¹

1. 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.

copyright

²

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

Other Word Forms

• copyrighter noun
• copyrightable adjective
• uncopyrighted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of copyright¹

First recorded in 1725–35; copy + right

Related Words

• cartel 
• holding 
• ownership 
• patent 
• trust