copyright
/ˈkɒpiraɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːpiraɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkä-pē-ˌrīt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkɒp.i.raɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑː.pi.raɪt/ (ame, ipa)
copyright — noun
- copyrightsingular
- copyrightsplural
1. The legal right that a person or organization holds over an original creative wo
The legal right that a person or organization holds over an original creative work — such as a novel, song, painting, film, or photograph — giving them sole authority to decide how it is copied, shared, performed, or sold.
Shirin registered the copyright for her novel before sending it to any publishers.
register the copyright for [work]
The photographer Dewi owns the copyright to every image on her personal website.
owns the copyright to [something]
Using a song in your YouTube video without permission violates the creator's copyright.
Copyright law in most countries protects a writer's work for many years after their death.
The publisher bought the copyright to the poet's entire collection of unpublished poems.
- intellectual property
a broader category that includes copyright, patents, and trademarks; copyright is one type of intellectual property
- ownership rights
more general — ownership rights can apply to physical objects, whereas copyright is specific to creative works
- public domain
works that are not protected by copyright and can be freely used by anyone
文法句型
copyright + on/in/to [work]
the copyright + belongs to [someone]
用法筆記
Uncountable noun — you cannot say 'a copyright' in the sense of one unit. Use 'the copyright' or 'copyright' without an article when referring to the legal concept generally. For countable usage, native speakers sometimes say 'a copyright' to mean 'a copyright registration', but this is informal and less common.
常見錯誤
copyright — verb
- copyrightpresent simple I / you / we / they
- copyrights3rd person singular
- copyrighting-ing form
- copyrightedpast simple
1. To formally register a creative work so that it receives legal protection agains
To formally register a creative work so that it receives legal protection against unauthorized copying, sharing, or sale by others.
Esteban copyrighted his photographs before uploading them to any social media platform.
copyright + creative work
The filmmaker made sure to copyright every scene before releasing the movie online.
Once you finish writing a book, it is wise to have it copyrighted by a legal expert.
Charlotte copyrighted her logo design so that no competitor could copy it.
- register
broader meaning — you can register a trademark, a domain name, or a complaint; 'copyright' as a verb is specific to creative works
- protect legally
a descriptive paraphrase rather than a single-word synonym; less precise than 'copyright'
文法句型
copyright + noun phrase [work]
用法筆記
Usually transitive — the work being protected is the direct object. In informal contexts, the passive form 'get something copyrighted' or 'have something copyrighted' is more common than the active verb. The act of registering copyright is often done through a government office.
常見錯誤
copyright — adjective
- copyrightpositive
- more copyrightcomparative
- most copyrightsuperlative
1. Describes a creative work — such as a book, image, song, or film — that is legal
Describes a creative work — such as a book, image, song, or film — that is legally protected by copyright, meaning others must get permission from the owner before using it.
You may not use any copyright images from the website without the owner's written permission.
copyright + noun (images/works/materials)
The publisher keeps a detailed record of all copyright books that are still being sold.
Teachers can use small parts of copyright works in class under fair use rules.
Before scanning a page from a copyright novel, check whether the work is still protected.
- public-domain
describes a work that is not protected by copyright and can be freely used by anyone
文法句型
copyright + noun
be + copyright
用法筆記
This adjective always appears before the noun it modifies or after a linking verb (e.g., 'this work is copyright'). Do not confuse with 'copyrighted', which is the past participle of the verb and is more commonly used in everyday speech. 'Copyright' as an adjective is more typical in formal legal writing.