Real Dictionary

copyright
variable noun: If someone has copyright on a piece of writing or music, it is illegal to reproduce or perform it without their permission.

copyright in American English
protected by copyright
the exclusive right to the publication, production, or sale of the rights to a literary, dramatic, musical, or artistic work, or to the use of a commercial print or label, granted by law for a specified period of time to an author, composer, artist, distr
to protect (a book, song, print, etc.) by copyright
adjective: of or pertaining to copyrights
noun: the exclusive right to make copies, license, and otherwise exploit a literary, musical, or artistic work, whether printed, audio, video, etc.: works granted such right by law on or after January 1, 1978, are protected for the lifetime of the author or cre
transitive verb: to secure a copyright on

copyright in British English
adjective: (of a work, etc) subject to or controlled by copyright
noun: the exclusive right to produce copies and to control an original literary, musical, or artistic work, granted by law for a specified number of years (in Britain, usually 70 years from the death of the author, composer, etc, or from the date of publication
verb: to take out a copyright on