copyleft

American

[kop-ee-left] / ˈkɒp iˌlɛft /

noun

the right to freely use, modify, copy, and share software, works of art, etc., on the condition that these rights be granted to all subsequent users or owners.

verb (used with object)

to secure copyleft for (software, works of art, etc.)

Etymology

Origin of copyleft

First recorded in 1960–65; modeled on copyright ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You’re coming from that copyleft, where everything wants to be free.

From The Verge • Feb. 22, 2022

See, now you sound like a copyleft person.

From The Verge • Feb. 22, 2022

Developers who released software under lax free licenses, without copyleft, all joined the open-source camp, along with some others who released under GNU GPL.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 17, 2015

Abbreviation for `General Public License' in widespread use; see copyleft, General Public Virus.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.

Nevertheless, widespread suspicion that the copyleft language is `boobytrapped' has caused many developers to avoid using GNU tools and the GPL.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023