[f. COPY sb. + RIGHT sb.]
1. The exclusive right given by law for a certain term of years to an author, composer, designer, etc. (or his assignee), to print, publish and sell copies of his original work.
1767. Blackstone, Comm., II. 407. Much may also be collected from the several legislative recognitions of copyrights.
1791. Boswell, Johnson, an. 1748. A considerable deduction from the price stipulated to be paid for the copyright.
1832. Babbage, Econ. Manuf., xxxiii. (ed. 3), 361. The law of Copyright, is, in some measure allied to that of patents.
1875. Jevons, Money (1878), 166. We have international copyright.
2. attrib. or adj. Protected by copyright; not allowed by law to be printed or copied except by permission of the author, designer, etc.
1881. Athenæum, 19 Feb., 257/1. There is to be no export of English editions of copyright books to the United States.
3. Comb.
1791. J. Lackington, Mem. (1792), 347. So blind were copyright-holders to their own interest.
