copyright holder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'copyright holder' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the owner of a copyright. For example, "The copyright holder of this song is the songwriter, not the record label."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Copyrighted material should not be copied without permission of the copyright holder.

WikiHow

"He is the copyright holder.

The New York Times

But "the copyright holder wanted way too much money".

The New York Times - Books

This they obtain from the copyright holder, which would be Oracle.

The Economist

(It, and several others, are periodically chased off by the copyright holder, Constantin Films).

The New Yorker

But "we endeavor to pay the rightful copyright holder speedily and fairly".

The New York Times

A copyright holder can sign away his rights for both terms.

The New Yorker

"If a copyright holder misbehaves, we want people to know it's not costless," Lessig added.

The New Yorker

The money is generally split between the copyright holder, often a record label, and the artist.

The New York Times

But the law generally comes into play only when a copyright holder complains.

The New York Times

We need to enforce our right as the copyright holder of our own brand.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal legal documents, verify if the person is the initial owner or an assignee before choosing between "author" and "copyright holder".

Common error

Avoid using "copyright holder" to refer to the person depicted in a photograph or the subject of a biography. The holder is the one who owns the image or text legally, typically the photographer or the publisher.

Linguistic Context

In the examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase "copyright holder" functions as a compound noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence involving permission, licensing, or legal disputes. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and standard in English to identify a legal entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "copyright holder" is a vital component of legal and media discourse, used to identify the owner of intellectual property. Ludwig data shows that it is highly prevalent in authoritative journalism and scientific journals, confirming its status as the standard term for rights ownership. Ludwig AI identifies it as a grammatically correct noun phrase that is preferred over more casual terms when precision is required. Whether you are discussing a "rights holder" in a contract or searching for a "copyright owner" to ask for permission, this phrase remains the most reliable choice for professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

copyright owner

highlights the legal title of ownership rather than just the holding of the rights

rights holder

broader term that can include entities holding specific sub-licenses or distribution rights

intellectual property owner

more formal and encompasses trademarks and patents alongside copyrights

copyright proprietor

more formal or archaic legal term for the person who has the exclusive right to a work

legal owner

emphasizes the judicial status of the entity possessing the copyright

licensor

specifically refers to the holder when they are granting permissions to others

author

identifies the creator who is typically the initial holder of the copyright

assignee

refers to an entity to whom the copyright has been legally transferred

proprietary holder

focuses on the private or exclusive nature of the ownership

copyright beneficiary

describes someone who receives the financial benefits of the copyright

FAQs

What is a "copyright holder"?

A "copyright holder" is an individual or entity that owns the exclusive legal rights to a creative work. This ownership allows them to control how the work is used, reproduced, and distributed. It is essentially the same as being a "copyright owner".

Can I use "rights holder" instead of "copyright holder"?

Yes, you can use "rights holder" as a synonym, though it is slightly broader and can refer to other types of legal permissions beyond just copyright.

What's the difference between "copyright holder" and "author"?

While the creator of a work is the initial "copyright holder", they can transfer these rights to someone else, such as a publisher. In such cases, the "author" is no longer the legal holder of the copyright.

Is "copyright owner" more formal than "copyright holder"?

Both are considered formal and are used extensively in legal and journalistic contexts. However, "copyright owner" is sometimes preferred in strict statutory law, while "copyright holder" is more common in general media.