copyright

American  

[kop-ee-rahyt] / ˈkɒp iˌraɪt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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)

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adjective

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

verb

1. (tr) to take out a copyright on

© ² British  

symbol

1. copyright

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copyright ¹ Cultural  

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.

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copyright ² Cultural  

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.

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Discover More

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

Other Word Forms

• copyrightable adjective
• copyrighter noun
• uncopyrighted adjective

Etymology

Origin of copyright

First recorded in 1725–35; copy + right

Related Words

• cartel
• holding
• ownership
• patent
• trust