copyright law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Legal, Business
Quick answer
What does “copyright law” mean?
The body of law that grants creators exclusive rights to control and profit from their original works for a limited period.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The body of law that grants creators exclusive rights to control and profit from their original works for a limited period.
A legal framework governing intellectual property, defining rights such as reproduction, distribution, public performance, and adaptation of original literary, artistic, musical, and other creative works, and establishing legal remedies for infringement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Terminology is largely identical. The UK historically used the term 'author's right' more interchangeably, but 'copyright law' is now standard. Key differences lie in specific statutory provisions (e.g., UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 vs. US Copyright Act).
Connotations
In both, it's a technical/legal term. In public discourse, it can have negative connotations related to restrictive corporate control or positive connotations related to protecting artists.
Frequency
Equally common in legal, academic, and media contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “copyright law” in a Sentence
to fall under copyright lawto be protected by copyright lawto be a matter of copyright lawto consult copyright lawVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “copyright law” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new directive will harmonise how member states copyright databases.
- You should copyright your manuscript before sharing it widely.
American English
- The company quickly copyrighted its innovative software code.
- She hired a lawyer to copyright her collection of poems.
adjective
British English
- They faced a lengthy copyright infringement case.
- The copyright duration for that work has expired.
American English
- We need to review the copyright notice on the website.
- He is a specialist in copyright litigation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential for publishing, software, music, and film industries to protect assets and avoid litigation. E.g., 'We must ensure our new ad campaign complies with copyright law.'
Academic
Discussed in law schools, media studies, and ethics courses. E.g., 'Her thesis critiques the evolution of digital copyright law.'
Everyday
Mentioned in contexts like downloading music, sharing memes, or using photos online. E.g., 'I'm not sure if using that image is against copyright law.'
Technical
Precise reference to statutes, case law, durations, fair use/fair dealing exceptions, and licensing mechanisms. E.g., 'The ruling hinged on the interpretation of §107 of US copyright law.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “copyright law”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “copyright law”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “copyright law”
- Using 'copyright' as a verb in this compound ('the law copyrights works' is wrong).
- Confusing 'copyright law' with 'trademark law' or 'patent law'.
- Writing 'copywrite law' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while international treaties (like the Berne Convention) set minimum standards, specific copyright laws are national. Duration, exceptions (like fair use/fair dealing), and registration requirements vary by country.
No, copyright law protects the *expression* of ideas (e.g., the specific text, code, or melody) in a fixed form, not the underlying ideas, concepts, or facts themselves.
It varies. Generally, for works created by an individual, it lasts for the author's life plus 70 years (in the US, UK, and EU). For corporate works, it's often 95-120 years from publication. Always check local statutes.
In US copyright law, 'fair use' is a doctrine permitting limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, or research. The UK and other jurisdictions have a similar but distinct concept called 'fair dealing'.
The body of law that grants creators exclusive rights to control and profit from their original works for a limited period.
Copyright law is usually formal, academic, legal, business in register.
Copyright law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒp.iraɪt ˌlɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.pi.raɪt ˌlɔː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A copyright minefield”
- “To be on the right side of copyright law”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think COPY-RIGHT LAW: the law that gives you the RIGHT to control your COPIES.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A SHIELD (protecting creators), INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IS A COMMODITY/PROPERTY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of copyright law?