copyright
(n) The exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of something (such as a literary, musical, or artistic work). (v) To obtain a copyright for a work.
Grants specific legal protections to creators, allowing them to control how their work is used. It protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself.
Word relationships
- intellectual property rights: A broader term encompassing patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
- exclusive right: A general term for a sole legal privilege, of which copyright is a specific type.
- public domain: Works in the public domain are not subject to copyright and can be freely used.
Commonly confused with
- patent: Copyright protects artistic and literary works; patents protect inventions and designs.
- trademark: Copyright protects creative works; trademarks protect brand names, logos, and slogans.
Word family
- copyrighted (adjective): protected by copyright
- copyrightable (adjective): capable of being copyrighted
Collocations
- obtain copyright
- copyright protection
- copyright holder
- copyright law
Example sentences
- "The author holds the copyright to her novel, meaning no one can publish it without her permission." Protecting creative works.
- "They decided to copyright their new software to prevent unauthorized duplication and distribution." A company securing its intellectual assets.
Memory hook
You have the 'right' to control who 'copies' your work. Copy + Right.
When not to use
When referring to the general concept of ownership of ideas; copyright applies to the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves. Also, don't use it for physical property.
Fun facts
- The first copyright law, the Statute of Anne, was enacted in Great Britain in 1710.
Related words
Explore more words
piracy, intellectual property, royalty, license, plagiarism, plagiarize
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