copyright troll

noun

A person or company that enforces copyrights that it holds for purposes of generating income through strategic litigation, in a manner considered unduly aggressive or opportunistic.

“If you join a popular torrent using your own IP address, a copyright troll might make sure you get a sternly-worded threat from your ISP.”

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Meanings

nouncopyright troll (plural copyright trolls)

plural copyright trolls

  1. derogatoryintellectual propertyA person or company that enforces copyrights that it holds for purposes of generating income through strategic litigation, in a manner considered unduly aggressive or opportunistic.
    1. Internetderogatorytorrentingintellectual propertyA copyright holder, or agent working on their behalf, who participates in torrents in order to note down and report those unlawfully downloading their copyrighted content.

      If you join a popular torrent using your own IP address, a copyright troll might make sure you get a sternly-worded threat from your ISP.

Cite this entry
APA

copyright troll. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/copyright%20troll

MLA

“copyright troll.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/copyright%20troll. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “copyright troll,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/copyright%20troll.

Source: copyright troll on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.