copyright

[ kop-ee-rahyt ]

noun

1. the exclusive right none to make copies none, license, and otherwise exploit a literary, musical, or artistic work, whether printed, audio, video, etc.: works granted such right none 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 copy·righted. protected by copyright.

verb (used with object)

1. to secure a copyright on.

©

¹

symbol for

1. copyright

copyright

²

/ ˈkɒpɪˌraɪt /

noun

1. 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) (c)

adjective

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

verb

1. tr to take out a copyright on

copyright

¹

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.

copyright

²

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.

Notes

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

Derived Forms

• ˈcopyˌrightable, adjective
• ˈcopyˌrighter, noun

Other Words From

• copy·righta·ble adjective
• copy·righter noun
• un·copy·righted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of copyright¹

First recorded in 1725–35; copy none + right none

Example Sentences

If a victim’s face is pulled from a copyrighted photo, it’s possible to use IP law.

From MIT Technology Review

Later that same year, it shuttered Google News in Spain following the passing of an even more extensive law that did not allow individual publishers to waive their copyright licensing rights.

From Search Engine Land

Similarly, restrictive copyright rules in Germany and Spain several years ago prompted Google to pull back on snippets, which caused a significant decline in search traffic to news sites in those countries.

From Search Engine Land

Google tried to use that same playbook in France after the passage of the EU copyright directive.

From Ars Technica

Another stacksmashing video, entitled "Bringing homebrew to the Nintendo Game & Watch," has also been taken down by an apparent copyright claim.

From Ars Technica

Excerpted from BECOMING RICHARD PRYOR Copyright © 2014 by Scott Saul.

From The Daily Beast

Copyright © 2014 by Alain Mabanckou from Letter to Jimmy (translated by Sara Meli Ansari).

From The Daily Beast

So what I always tell the kids is to be careful about signing to a label and always protect your copyright.

From The Daily Beast

For an artist like myself, the most important part is the publishing, and owning my own copyright.

From The Daily Beast

State officials were not amused, and are suing the advocacy group for copyright infringement.

From The Daily Beast

Research has indicated the copyright on this book was not renewed.

From Project Gutenberg

Also for copyright privileges in connection with this and other chapters.

From Project Gutenberg

When copyright laws are made—by elected officials, acting for the public good—they always safeguard this right.

From Project Gutenberg

Also, he made him two propositions: he would pay him ten thousand dollars cash for his copyright, or he would pay five per cent.

From Project Gutenberg

About this time began Mark Twain's long and active interest in copyright.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absorb
• exclude
• possess
• take over
• utilize