Fun fact: I have a master’s in law. But that doesn’t mean I know much about copyright law—because I’m a copywriter.
See the problem? Copywriting and copyright law sound the same, but they actually couldn’t be more different. One helps brands sell with words; the other is a branch of intellectual property law that protects creative work.
Yet still people confuse these two words, which is completely fair as they are homophones (different words that sound the same). In this blog, I’ll break down copywrite vs copyright so you know when to hire a copywriter and when to call a copyright expert.
Let’s get started!
What is Copywriting?
The profession to which I’ve dedicated my life, copywriting, is a digital marketing term that’s all about writing words that sell, attract, or persuade your audience to do (or buy) something. Businesses rely on strong writing to connect with customers, explain what they do, and encourage action.
Copywriting isn’t just for the Mad Max advertising executives, although compelling advertisements certainly use a specific type of copywriting. ‘Copy’ refers to any written content a business creates to communicate with its audience. That might include:
- Blog posts that build credibility, rocket to the top of the search results, and attract readers
- Emails that encourage engagement and drive sales
- Sales letters designed to turn interest into action
- Billboards with a catchy, memorable slogan
- Portfolio documents that showcase expertise
- Presentations that educate and persuade
- Commercial scripts that make complex ideas easy to follow
- Product descriptions that highlight key features
- Social media posts that spark engagement
- Brochures, flyers, and packaging in a printed form that strengthens brand identity
So, why would you need a copywriter? Can’t you just write these things yourself?
Well, there’s a reason businesses invest in copywriting. Every word serves a purpose, shaping how a brand is perceived and how customers respond. Copy isn’t space filler, it’s not just something to shove up on your website, but instead it’s the way you communicate with your audience and get across your unique selling points.
The bottom line is that good copywriting makes people pay attention, feel something, and take action, whether that’s clicking a link, buying a product, or signing up for your newsletter. And that doesn’t happen by accident.
Copy vs Content Writing
But copywriting is only part of the story. What about content writers?
People often assume copywriting and content writing are the same thing, but they serve different purposes. Copywriting is all about persuasion, using words to encourage action—whether that’s buying a product, signing up for a newsletter, or clicking a link. It’s the writing you see in ads, sales pages, and marketing emails, designed to grab attention and make an impact fast.
Content writing, on the other hand, is about engagement. Instead of focusing on immediate sales, it builds trust by providing useful information. Blog posts, whitepapers, and newsletters fall into this category, offering value without pushing for a direct purchase.
The two often work together. A business might publish blog posts that follow a checklist to attract an audience (content writing) and then use well-crafted ads or landing pages to turn that interest into sales (copywriting). That’s why many businesses turn to a copywriting agency—to make sure they have the right mix of compelling sales copy and valuable content that keeps people coming back.
What is Copyright Law?
So, in the battle of copywrite vs copyright, what actually is copyright? Let me dust off my legal textbooks and give you a definition…
Copyright is a legal term that protects original creative work, giving its creator exclusive rights over how it’s used, distributed, and reproduced. If you write a book, compose a song, design a logo, or produce a film, copyright law ensures that others can’t copy or profit from your work without permission.
Despite the name, copyright has nothing to do with copywriting—it’s not about the process of writing copy or content creation, but rather what comes next, the process of securing ownership over creative content. That protection applies to a wide range of material, including:
- Books and articles that establish thought leadership and share ideas
- Music compositions that are recorded, streamed, and performed
- Films and television shows that are scripted, produced, and distributed
- Photographs and illustrations used in advertising and media
- Software code that powers applications and digital tools
- Logos and branding assets that define a company’s visual identity
- Scripts and screenplays that form the foundation of movies and plays
- Educational materials that are published for academic use
- Website content and blog posts that generate traffic and engagement
Unlike patents or trademarks, copyright protection is automatic. As soon as a work is created, it belongs to its creator. Registration isn’t required, but it strengthens legal claims if disputes arise.
So, when would you need a copyright expert? Can’t you just rely on common sense and put limits on your copy-paste functionality? Well, if I remember from all those seminars at law school correctly, copyright law is complicated. It covers not just ownership but also fair use, licensing, and infringement claims. Businesses and creators turn to copyright specialists when they need to:
- Secure legal proof of ownership through official registration
- License their work while retaining control over how it’s used
- Protect content from plagiarism or unauthorized distribution
- Handle copyright disputes or potential infringements
Ultimately, copyright isn’t just a legal technicality, and has nothing to do with marketing materials. Copyright is a part of intellectual property law that acts as a safeguard to protect creative work, ensure credit where it’s due, and allow creators to profit from their ideas without fear of theft or misuse.
Copywrite vs Copyright: Do You Need a Copywriter or a Copyright Lawyer?
So, for your project, if you’re working with c
Still unsure who to call? Here’s how to tell whether you need a copywriter or a copyright expert.
You Need a Copywriter If…
✅ You’re launching a new website and need compelling content.
✅ Your ad copy, emails, or landing pages aren’t converting and you want to improve your marketing performance.
✅ Your brand voice feels inconsistent or unclear.
✅ You want to rank higher in search engines by creating written content.
✅ You need clear, persuasive messaging that grabs attention and drives action.
Copywriters (and sometimes content writers) helps clarify your message, engage your audience, and sell your products or services, whether that’s through blog posts, website content, ads, or social media. You should hire a copywriter if you need professional written material for marketing purposes.
You Need a Copyright Lawyer If…
✅ You’ve created something original and want legal protection.
✅ Someone has copied your work without permission.
✅ You need to register a copyright for official ownership proof.
✅ You’re licensing your work and want to set clear terms.
✅ You’re worried about using someone else’s content and avoiding infringement.
A copyright lawyer helps protect your creative work, enforce your rights, and navigate legal complexities.
Simple as that!
Looking to hire a copywriter?
Our team of expert writers is poised pen-ready for your brief. Book a free call and let’s have a chat about how we can get that project off the ground.
Copyright vs Copywrite: They’re Two Different Words!
It’s easy to see why people mix up copywriting and copyright. The words sound alike, and both relate to creative work in some way. But now you can avoid confusion and know the difference:
- Copywriting is all about crafting persuasive content for businesses.
- Copyright is a legal right that protects creative work.
- And finally, “copywrite” isn’t a word… So you can forget about that one entirely!
If you need content that attracts, persuades, and sells, you’re looking for a copywriter (and probably need to work with one of the experts from Empowered English, for that matter). If you want to protect your creative work from being copied or misused, register a trademark, or protect your legal rights if they’ve been infringed, then you need a lawyer who specialises in copyright law and intellectual property rights.
Hopefully, this clears things up… So the next time you need a professionally written blog that shoots to the top of the SERPs with expert search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, you’ll know to give the copywriters at Empowered English a call, and not bother your lawyer!
Work With Empowered English
Are you looking to take the effectiveness of your content to the next level? Work with one of our experienced copywriting experts today. Simply get in touch to book your free consultation — we can’t wait to get started.
… Or, if you’re an aspiring content strategist or copywriter, feel free to reach out, we’re always on the lookout for talented content creators to join our team.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, copywrite isn’t a real word. People often confuse it with copywriting (the art of creating content and persuasive writing for marketing) or copyright (a legal right that protects creative work). If you see someone looking for a “copywrite expert,” they probably mean a copywriter!
Not necessarily. Copyright protection is automatic as soon as you create original work. However, registering your copyright officially can strengthen your legal claim if someone tries to copy or use your work without permission. If you’ve invested significant time on your literary works, then you might want to look into registering the exclusive legal right to use it.
We’re a talented bunch at Empowered English, but we’re not that talented! No, content marketing writers and copywriters create persuasive content, we don’t handle copyright law.
If you need legal protection for your creative work, information about copyright registration, advice on infringement issues, or representation before the copyright office, you’ll need a copyright lawyer, not a copywriter.
