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Copyright vs License - What's the difference?

copyright | license |

As nouns the difference between copyright and license

is that copyright is the 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 while license is a legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.

As verbs the difference between copyright and license

is that copyright is to place under a copyright while license is the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization.

copyright

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (uncountable) The 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.
  • (countable) Such 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.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To place under a copyright.
  • To obtain or secure a copyright for some literary or other artistic work.
  • Derived terms

    * copyrightable

    See also

    * copyfight * copyleft * copyright infringement * exclusive right * copywrong

    Statistics

    * ----

    license

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (UK) licence (noun)

    Noun

  • (label) A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.
  • (label) The legal terms under which a person is allowed to use a product, especially software.
  • Even if you bought this product, it does NOT belong to you. You have a license to use it under the terms of this agreement, until you breach this agreement.
  • (label) Freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech).
  • (label) Excessive freedom; lack of due restraint.
  • * 1936 , , The Story of Civilization , page 520:
  • When liberty becomes license dictatorship is near.
  • (label) An academic degree, the holder of which is called a licentiate, ranking slightly below doctorate, awarded by certain European and Latin-American universities.
  • Usage notes

    * In British English, Canadian English, Australian English, Irish English, and New Zealand English the noun is spelt licence'' and the verb is ''license . * The spelling licence is not used for either part of speech in the United States.

    Verb

    (licens)
  • The act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-22, volume=407, issue=8841, page=68, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= T time , passage=The ability to shift profits to low-tax countries by locating intellectual property in them, which is then licensed to related businesses in high-tax countries, is often assumed to be the preserve of high-tech companies.}}
  • Authorize officially.
  • Derived terms

    * licensable * licensee * license plate * licenser * licensor

    Anagrams

    *