How to Distinguish Between 'Copyright' and 'Copywrite'
"Copyright" is a word, and "copywrite" is sort of a word, but they have different meanings and are often confused. If you have trouble distinguishing between these homophones, there are ways to remember the differences that will help you avoid mixing up the two words.
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Instructions
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Understand that a "copyright" is a noun or verb. "Copyright" is a legal term that designates the ownership of written works and images. There are several derivatives of "copyright" that are also acceptable words. For example, "copyrighted" means that something is protected by copyright, and "copyrightable" means that something can be protected by copyright. "Copyright" can be used as a verb to mean the act of obtaining a copyright.
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Use the word copyright when legality is an issue. If you are talking about who owns the rights to reproduce or sell written works and images, you are talking about the copyright (in other words, an individual's right to copy a work).
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Understand that "copywriting" is a profession. "Copywriters" are people who work in media and may write advertising for companies. What they write is called "copy." Copywriters can work for advertising firms, within the marketing department at a company or as freelancers.
People may use the verb "copywrite" to designate what copywriters do, but this is not standard.
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Use the words "copywriter" and "copywriting" when referring to writing as an activity. If your friend works at an advertising firm and writes scripts for TV commercials, he is a copywriter.
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