noun a play on the word copyright, referring to the practice of using copyright law to offer the right to distribute copies and modified versions of a work and requiring that the same rights be preserved in modified versions
Copyleft is a concept that challenges traditional copyright laws by promoting the sharing and collaboration of creative works.
Copyleft is a licensing scheme that allows users to freely use, modify, and distribute software as long as they adhere to the original licensing terms.
Copyleft is used in Creative Commons licenses to specify that derivative works must also be licensed under the same terms.
Copyleft is a key principle of the free culture movement, which advocates for the freedom to use, share, and build upon creative works.
Copyleft is often discussed in the context of digital rights and the balance between protecting creators' rights and promoting open access to information.
In the writing industry, copyleft licenses are often used to allow for the free distribution and modification of creative works, while still retaining some rights for the original author.
Psychologists may use copyleft licenses when sharing research findings or educational materials to ensure that they are freely accessible to others in the field.
In the software development industry, copyleft licenses are commonly used for open source projects to promote collaboration and ensure that derivative works remain open source as well.
Musicians may use copyleft licenses for their music to encourage sharing and remixing by other artists, while still maintaining some control over how their work is used.