copyright

[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 the author or creator and for a period of 50 years after his or her death.
adjective
2.
of or pertaining to copyrights.
3.
Also, copyrighted. protected by copyright.
verb (used with object)
4.
to secure a copyright on.
Origin
1725-35; copy + right
Related forms
copyrightable, adjective
copyrighter, noun
uncopyrighted, adjective
Examples from the web for copyrights
  • copyrights, patents, intellectual property, and other lawsuits often appear here.
  • This could require patents or copyrights or preservation of trade secrets.
British Dictionary definitions for copyrights

copyright

/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
2.
(of a work, etc) subject to or controlled by copyright
verb
3.
(transitive) to take out a copyright on
Derived Forms
copyrightable, adjective
copyrighter, noun
Word Origin and History for copyrights

copyright

n.

"the right to make or sell copies," 1735, from copy + right (n.). As a verb, from 1806 (implied in past participle adjective copyrighted).

copyrights in Culture

copyright definition


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: The symbol for copyright is ©rt;.

copyright definition


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.