Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Protected by copyright: Describes a creative work (such as a literary, musical, dramatic, or artistic work) whose exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, or adapt it are legally owned by the creator or a designated party for a specific period.

Usage

• The adjective copyrighted is used to describe a work that is legally protected. It is often used in formal, legal, and academic contexts.
• It typically precedes the noun it modifies (e.g., ) or follows a linking verb (e.g., ).

Examples

• Adjective:
  • You cannot use that song in your video because it is copyrighted.
  • The library provides access to both copyrighted and public domain works.
  • Sharing copyrighted software without a license is illegal.

Advanced Usage

• "to be copyrighted": The passive construction is common when stating the legal status of a work.
  • Her photographs are automatically copyrighted the moment she creates them.
• "copyrighted content/material/work": Common collocations specifying the type of protected asset.
  • The website's policy strictly prohibits the upload of copyrighted content.

Variants and Related Words

• Copyright (noun): The exclusive legal right itself.
  • He owns the copyright to his novels.
• Copyright (verb): To secure a copyright for a work.
  • The company copyrighted its new logo.
• Copyrightable (adjective): Eligible for copyright protection.
  • Not all types of content are copyrightable.

Synonyms

• Protected: Guarded by law (in a general sense).
• Proprietary: Owned exclusively by a particular company, often used for software and patents, but can apply to copyrighted works in a business context.

Antonyms

• Public domain: Describes works whose copyrights have expired or were never applicable, making them free for public use.
• Uncopyrighted: Not protected by copyright (less common; "public domain" is more standard).

Adjective

1. (of literary or musical or dramatic or artistic work) protected by copyright
   • permission to publish copyright material