copyright
0 antonyms and opposites of copyright, grouped by meaning.
Noun — The legal right to control who may reproduce, publish, or distribute a creative work.
How to use copyright
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From copy plus right, referring to the legal right over how a copy of a work is made and used.
Full origin of copyright →Frequently asked questions
What does “copyright” mean?
The word “copyright” means the legal right to control who may reproduce, publish, or distribute a creative work. In plain terms, the legal protection that stops others from copying or using your creative work without permission.
How do you pronounce “copyright”?
“Copyright” is pronounced KO-pee-ryt (/ˈkɑpiˌɹaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “copyright” in a sentence?
Here is “copyright” used in a sentence: “The author retains copyright on all her novels.”
What part of speech is “copyright”?
Depending on how it is used, “copyright” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “copyright” a common word?
“Copyright” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “copyright” have?
“Copyright” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the legal right to control who may reproduce, publish, or distribute a creative work.
What is the difference between "copyright" and "trademark"?
"Copyright" protects creative works such as books, music, and art by controlling who may reproduce, publish, or distribute them. A "trademark" protects brand identifiers like names, logos, and slogans that distinguish one company's goods from another's.
What is the difference between "copyright" and "patent"?
"Copyright" covers original creative and artistic works and the right to copy them. A "patent" protects inventions, such as new products, processes, or technical methods, rather than creative expression.
Is it spelled "copyright" or "copywrite"?
The correct spelling is "copyright," from the legal right to copy a work. "Copywrite" is a common mistake and is not standard; the related term "copywriting" means writing advertising or marketing text, which is unrelated to legal copyright.
Can "copyright" be used as a verb?
Yes. As a verb, "to copyright" means to secure legal copyright protection for a work, as in "she copyrighted her songs." As a noun, it names the legal right itself.