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.