1.nounThe right by law to be the entity which determines who may publish, copy and distribute a piece of writing, music, picture or other work of authorship.
"Copyright is a separate legal area from trademarks."
2.nounSuch an exclusive right as it pertains to one or more specific works.
"The artist lost the copyrights to her songs when she signed the contract."
3.verbTo obtain or secure a copyright for some literary or other artistic work.