copyright

Etymology

copy + right

noun

1. (uncountable) The right by law to be the entity which determines who may publish, copy and distribute a piece of writing, music, picture or other work of authorship.
   Copyright is a separate legal area from trademarks.
2. (countable) Such an exclusive right as it pertains to one or more specific works.
   The artist lost the copyrights to her songs when she signed the contract.
   The images are still copyright of the original artist.
3. (uncountable, informal, nonstandard) A violation of copyright law; copyright infringement.
   Anyone accused of copyright would have sixty days to opt-out of the Copyright Claims Board process, in which case the plaintiff would have to seek legal action in court. 2019-10-23, Christine Fisher, “House passes controversial copyright bill that could be abused by trolls”, in Engadget

verb

1. (transitive or intransitive) To obtain or secure a copyright for some literary or other artistic work.
   Every book will be copyrighted that the publisher believes will have such a market as will justify him in going to the expense of copyrighting to prevent competition from other publishers. 1907, United States Congress House. Committee on Appropriations, District of Columbia Appropriations, page 253
   Further, Mr. Mullins writes FOR YOU-THE-PEOPLE, copyrighting to protect listings and to make a statement—but willingly shares his work for, after all, if it is not read then of what worth is a book? 1993, Gyeorgos Ceres Hatonn, The Beast at Work, page 161
   The sealed contents inside postmarked by the United States Post office will be proof enough of exactly when your work was completed. The disadvantage to this form of copyrighting is that your work is not traceable for anyone who is interested in acquiring information regarding copyright ownership. 1997, Marc Davison, All Area Access: Personal Management for Unsigned Musicians, page 171
   J. J. Jameson: The Green Goblin. You like that? Made it up myself. These weirdos all gotta have a name now. Hoffman! Call the patent office, copyright the name "Green Goblin". I want a quarter every time somebody says it. 2002, Spider-Man (film)
   When your script is completed you need to copyright it with the Library of Congress in Washington DC (you can get the forms from: Register of Copyrights, Library of Congress, Washington DC, 20559. Request form PA, or you can download them from www.loc.gov/copyright). 2006, Josh Becker, Bruce Campbell, The Complete Guide to Low-Budget Feature Filmmaking, page 55
   Everything else that is written or created is automatically copyrighted. 2008, Ann Gaines, Don't Steal Copyrighted Stuff!