Cop·y·right n. The right of an author or his assignee, under statute, to print and publish his literary or artistic work, exclusively of all other persons. This right may be had in maps, charts, engravings, plays, and musical compositions, as well as in books.
 Note: ☞ In the United States in 1913 a copyright was valid for the term of twenty-eight years, with right of renewal for fourteen years on certain conditions.   The term was extended in stages, and in 1997 the term of a copyright was life plus 50 years for individuals retaining their copyright, or 75 years for works created for hire.  Further extension is still (1998) being discussed.
 International copyright, an author's right in his productions as secured by treaty between nations.
 In·ter·na·tion·al a.
 1. Between or among nations; pertaining to the intercourse of nations; participated in by two or more nations; common to, or affecting, two or more nations.
 2. Of or concerning the association called the International.
 International code Naut., a common system of signaling adopted by nearly all maritime nations, whereby communication may be had between vessels at sea.
 International copyright. See under Copyright.
 International law, the rules regulating the mutual intercourse of nations. International law is mainly the product of the conditions from time to time of international intercourse, being drawn from diplomatic discussion, textbooks, proof of usage, and from recitals in treaties. It is called public when treating of the relations of sovereign powers, and private when of the relations of persons of different nationalities. International law is now, by the better opinion, part of the common law of the land.  Cf. Conflict of laws, under Conflict.