Copyrightware

noun (software slang, programming)

A category of software in which the original source code remains private and is maintained by its creator or copyright holder. Users are permitted to install, utilize, and occasionally redistribute the compiled program in accordance with its license; however, they are not allowed to access, alter, copy, modify, or redistribute the original source code unless the owner explicitly makes it available. This concept is associated with closed-source software,

1. "JQuake is copyrightware You may not decompile or reuse any resources that are included with JQuake."
From the download page of JQuake.

2. Photoshop is copyrightware—you can use it, but Adobe doesn't publish the source code.

3. Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox are examples of copyrightware games

Copyrightware by EF2020 July 31, 2026

Copyrightware

noun (software slang, programming)

A type of software where the original source code is kept private by its creator or copyright holder. Users are allowed to install, use, and sometimes redistribute the compiled program according to its license, but they cannot view, modify, or compile the original source code unless the owner explicitly releases it.

Unlike open-source software, copyrightware is distributed in executable form (such as .exe, .app, or .apk files), with the underlying code remaining protected by copyright.

1. Adobe's Photoshop is copyrightware—you can use it, but Adobe doesn't publish the source code.
2. The developer released the game as copyrightware, so modders could make add-ons but couldn't change the game's engine.
3. iOS, MacOS, & Windows, are examples of Copyrightware Operating Systems.

Copyrightware by EF2020 August 1, 2026