# copyrighted

/ˈkɑpiˌɹaɪtɪd/ (US) · /kˈɒpɪɹˌaɪtɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/copyrighted
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

protected by law so that other people cannot copy or sell it without permission. You use this to describe creative work like books, music, or art.

For teachers: protected by legal exclusive rights granted to the creator for a fixed period. Often used attributively to describe intellectual property or creative works.

## Examples

- You cannot use that copyrighted music in your video.
- The photographer sued the website for using her copyrighted images without paying a licensing fee.
- While the underlying facts of a news story are public, the specific arrangement of words in a copyrighted article remains the legal property of the publisher.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as an adjective to describe the status of a work; often follows linking verbs like 'is' or 'remains'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.