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Preposition before noun

Copyright with different prepositions

Copyright is commonly followed by of or used with related phrases such as copyright to. Other combinations depend on the meaning of the sentence.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with copyright?

The most common patterns are copyright of for ownership description and copyright to for legal ownership rights. Copyright by is used when naming the holder. About copyright usually means discussing the topic. Copyright for is used in specific contexts such as protection for creative work.

The copyright of the image belongs to the photographer.
She transferred copyright to the publisher last year.
The book includes a note about copyright law.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
copyright of + work

Naming the ownership or source of a work

Use copyright of when identifying the copyright connected to a specific work or material.

The copyright of the song expires in several decades.
They disputed the copyright of the design in court.
2
copyright to + owner

Showing who legally owns the rights

Copyright to is common when talking about rights belonging or being transferred to a person or organisation.

The copyright to the software remains with the developer.
He sold copyright to the studio after the film was released.
3
copyright by + creator or company

Identifying the copyright holder

Copyright by is used in notices and labels to name the person or company holding the copyright.

Copyright by Green Oak Media appears on the website footer.
The poster states copyright by the author on the final page.
4
about copyright

Discussing the subject of copyright

About copyright refers to information or discussion on copyright as a topic.

We attended a seminar about copyright in digital publishing.
She wrote an article about copyright and online media.
5
copyright for + purpose or material

Describing protection intended for something

Copyright for is less common but natural when referring to protection or registration intended for specific material.

They requested copyright for the artwork before publication.
The agency manages copyright for musicians across several countries.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
copyright of
The copyright of the article belongs to the magazine.
Shows the copyright connected with a work.
copyright to
The copyright to the photographs was transferred to the agency.
Shows legal ownership or transfer of rights.
copyright by
Copyright by Silver Lake Press.
Names the copyright holder, often in notices.
about copyright
The lecture was about copyright and fair use.
Refers to the topic of discussion.
copyright for
They applied for copyright for the new logo.
Refers to protection intended for something specific.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using about instead of of for ownership

About copyright discusses the topic, not ownership.

✕ the about copyright of the image ✓ the copyright of the image

Confusing copyright to with copyright of

Copyright to usually focuses on the owner, while copyright of focuses on the work.

✕ the copyright to the novel is famous ✓ the copyright of the novel is disputed

Using by for transfer of rights

Use to when rights move to another owner.

✕ She transferred copyright by the company. ✓ She transferred copyright to the company.

Using for without a clear purpose

Copyright for works best when referring to protection intended for something.

✕ the copyright for belongs to him ✓ the copyright belongs to him

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The copyright ___ the artwork belongs to the museum.
2. She transferred copyright ___ the publisher.
3. We attended a workshop ___ copyright law.

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Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

Is copyright to correct English?

Yes. Copyright to is standard when referring to legal ownership or transfer of rights.

Can I say copyright by someone?

Yes. Copyright by is common in notices that identify the copyright holder.

What does about copyright mean?

It means discussing copyright as a subject, not ownership of a work.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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