Copy

Copy refers to a reproduction of an original item. It denotes a duplicate or replica, intended to preserve the essential information or appearance of the source, and is used across domains such as publishing, computing, law, and media.

In publishing and journalism, copy denotes the text to be printed or broadcast. Copy editors revise copy for grammar, style, accuracy, and consistency. The term can also refer to the body of text produced for a publication, as distinct from art, layout, or graphics.

In advertising and marketing, copy is the written content of promotional material. A copywriter creates slogans, product descriptions, and calls to action designed to persuade or inform an audience. The quality of copy can influence audience engagement and conversion.

In computing, copying is the operation of duplicating data from one memory location or file to another. Commands such as copy (Windows) or cp (Unix) perform the action. In programming, shallow copies duplicate the reference to an object, while deep copies duplicate the object and its contents, affecting memory and behavior.

In law and copyright, copying intersects with intellectual property rights. Unauthorized copying can infringe copyright, while protections and exceptions (such as fair use or fair dealing) permit limited copying under specific circumstances. Digital rights management and licensing regulate how copies may be distributed.

Etymology: copy derives from Latin copia meaning abundance, passing into Old French copie and Middle English to denote a transcription or imitation.