copyright

The legal right to control how your writing, music, pictures, or other creative work is copied and shared.

• This image is protected by copyright.
• The publisher owns the copyright in the book.
• They asked permission to use material under copyright.

How to use it: copyright in something (The author owns the copyright in the book.); copyright on something (She holds the copyright on these photographs.)

Common phrases: copyright protection, copyright law, under copyright, hold copyright

To officially register your right to control the copying and use of a creative work.

• She copyrighted her first song.
• They plan to copyright the illustrations.
• Has he copyrighted his new play?

Common phrases: copyright a book, copyright a song