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copyright
copyrightnounthe 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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©
©symbolcopyright
copyright
Americannoun
adjective
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of or relating to copyrights.
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Also copyrighted. protected by copyright.
verb (used with object)
noun
adjective
verb
symbol
Discover More
Other Word Forms
- copyrightable adjective
- copyrighter noun
- uncopyrighted adjective
Etymology
Origin of copyright
Explanation
A copyright is a document that gives the ownership rights over artistic work, like songs or stories. If you don't get a copyright for your brilliant new novel, someone could adapt it into a movie without paying you a dime. Copyright means exactly what it sounds like: the right to make copies of something. If you copyright a song, a singer will to have to pay you to record it. Usually, copyright only lasts for a certain number of years. In the U.S. when a book or song has had a copyright for more than 75 years, that expires and it becomes "public domain," which means nobody owns the rights to it anymore.
Vocabulary lists containing copyright
Computer Science and Technology - Middle School
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National Librarian Day
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Computer Science and Technology - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sunderland did not respond to a request for comment from the BBC, but the club has declined Mr Small's request stating there is "no copyright in ideas and concepts".
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
A year ago, Washington put Zhipu on its export control blacklist over national security concerns, while Disney and other US entertainment outfits are suing MiniMax for copyright infringement.
From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026
Even in the music industry, the “Big Three” labels have inked individual deals with AI startups like Udio, Klay and Suno — after suing a few of the same companies for copyright infringement.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026
The developer has issued a copyright takedown request in a bid to prevent competitors from cloning the coding tool’s features.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
Although few cartographic corporations acknowledge their existence, copyright traps remain a common feature even in contemporary maps.
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.