Definition: The word "copyrighted" is an adjective that describes something (like a book, song, movie, or piece of art) that is protected by copyright law. This means that the creator of the work has legal rights over it and controls how it can be used, shared, or published.
In more complex discussions, you might hear about "copyright infringement," which means using copyrighted material without permission, or "fair use," which is a legal exception allowing limited use of copyrighted material without permission under certain conditions.
While "copyrighted" specifically refers to the protection of creative works, the root word "copy" can also mean to reproduce something or make a duplicate. However, in the context of "copyrighted," it focuses on legal protection rather than duplication.
There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "copyrighted," but here are a couple of related phrases: - "Rights reserved": Often seen in published works, indicating that the creator maintains all legal rights to the work. - "To infringe on someone's copyright": Means to violate the legal rights of the copyright holder.
"Copyrighted" describes a creative work that is legally protected. It is important for respecting the rights of creators.