copyright: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Legal, Academic, Business, Everyday (in digital context)
Quick answer
What does “copyright” mean?
The exclusive legal right, given to the creator of an original work, to print, publish, perform, film, or record that work and to authorize others to do the same.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The exclusive legal right, given to the creator of an original work, to print, publish, perform, film, or record that work and to authorize others to do the same.
The broader legal and economic system governing intellectual property in creative works; the symbol © denoting such protection; the act of securing this legal right for a work.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The verb form ('to copyright') is equally common in both. Minor spelling differences may appear in related terms (e.g., 'license' vs. 'licence' in the context of copyright licensing).
Connotations
Identical. Both associate it strongly with law, creativity, and digital/media content.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties due to globalized media and internet.
Grammar
How to Use “copyright” in a Sentence
[Subject] holds/owns the copyright to [Object][Subject] is protected by copyright[Subject] infringes/violates [Possessive] copyrightto copyright [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “copyright” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She copyrighted her novel as soon as the manuscript was finished.
- The design was officially copyrighted last month.
American English
- He copyrighted the song before releasing it online.
- Make sure to copyright your software code.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form. Use phrases like 'in terms of copyright' or 'copyright-wise'.
- Copyright-wise, the situation is clear.
American English
- No standard adverbial form. Use phrases like 'from a copyright perspective'.
- From a copyright perspective, this is infringement.
adjective
British English
- The copyright date is printed on the verso of the title page.
- They faced a copyright lawsuit.
American English
- You need copyright permission to use that clip.
- The copyright page lists all the publishing details.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Crucial for protecting assets, licensing revenue, and managing brand identity. E.g., 'We need to secure the copyright before marketing the software.'
Academic
Discussed in law, media studies, and ethics. Concerns plagiarism and fair use. E.g., 'The study examines the impact of digital copyright on academic publishing.'
Everyday
Common in discussions about downloading music, movies, memes, and using online content. E.g., 'You can't use that photo; it might be copyrighted.'
Technical
Refers to specific legal codes (e.g., DMCA), digital rights management (DRM), and licensing agreements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “copyright”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “copyright”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “copyright”
- Using it as a plural count noun when meaning the concept: 'He has many copyrights on his book.' (Better: 'His book is protected by copyright.')
- Confusing 'copyright' (creative works) with 'trademark' (brand identifiers) or 'patent' (inventions).
- Misspelling as 'copywrite' (which refers to writing advertising text).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Copyright protects original artistic/literary works (books, music, software). A patent protects new inventions or processes. A trademark protects symbols, names, and slogans that identify goods/services (logos, brand names).
It varies by country. Typically, it lasts for the life of the author plus 50-70 years. For corporate works, it can be a fixed period from publication (e.g., 95 years in the US).
Generally, yes. Original content is automatically copyrighted upon creation. The absence of a © symbol does not mean it's free to use. Some works are licensed for reuse (e.g., Creative Commons).
It refers to works whose copyright has expired or were never eligible. These works can be used freely by anyone for any purpose without permission.
The exclusive legal right, given to the creator of an original work, to print, publish, perform, film, or record that work and to authorize others to do the same.
Copyright is usually formal, legal, academic, business, everyday (in digital context) in register.
Copyright: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒpiraɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All rights reserved.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the symbol ©. The 'C' stands for 'copy' and the circle means you have the 'right' to control it. Copy + Right = the right to control copies.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS PHYSICAL PROPERTY (to own, to hold, to protect, to infringe).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is most directly protected by copyright law?