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A1 noun #4,200 mais comum 13 min de leitura

royalty

Top 4,200

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas royalty em 30 segundos

Explicação royalty in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of a royalty as 'thank you money' for a creator. Imagine you write a book. A company sells your book to many people. Every time they sell one book, they give you a little bit of money. This money is called a royalty. It is not a salary because you don't work every day to get it. You write the book one time, and then you get royalties for a long time. It is important for authors, singers, and inventors. If you hear someone say 'I got a royalty check,' it means they made money from something they created in the past. It is a simple way to get paid for your ideas. You can say: 'The writer gets a royalty for her book.' or 'My favorite singer earns royalties from his songs.' At this level, just remember: Royalty = money for a book or song.

At the A2 level, we understand that royalty is a noun used in business and the arts. It is a payment made to the owner of a 'property' like a song, a book, or a patent. A key difference at this level is knowing that it is often plural: royalties. Authors and musicians don't just get one royalty; they get many royalties from many sales. You might also see the word 'royalty-free.' This is common when you look for pictures or music online. 'Royalty-free' means you pay for the picture one time, and then you can use it many times without paying again. It is a very useful word if you are interested in creative work or business. For example: 'He receives royalties every month.' This shows that the money comes regularly based on how many people use his work.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using royalty in more specific contexts, such as licensing and contracts. A royalty is typically a percentage of sales. For instance, an author might have a contract that gives them a 10% royalty on every book sold. This means if the book costs $20, the author gets $2. You will also encounter the word in discussions about the 'royalty rate.' This is the specific percentage or amount agreed upon in a contract. You should also recognize the difference between a 'flat fee' (one payment) and a 'royalty' (ongoing payments). In B1 English, you can describe more complex situations: 'The inventor negotiated a higher royalty rate for his new patent.' This shows you understand that royalties are something people discuss and change in business deals.

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At the B2 level, royalty is understood within the broader framework of Intellectual Property (IP) law. You should know that royalties apply not just to books and music, but also to franchises and natural resources. For example, a person who owns a Subway restaurant pays royalties to the parent company for the right to use the brand name and recipes. Similarly, a landowner might receive oil royalties if a company extracts oil from their land. You should also be aware of the metaphorical use, such as 'rock royalty' or 'acting royalty,' referring to people who are at the very top of their profession. At this level, you can use the word in formal reports or business discussions: 'The company's revenue increased significantly due to a rise in royalty income from its international licenses.'

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At the C1 level, you must understand the technicalities of royalty structures, including 'mechanical royalties,' 'performance royalties,' and 'statutory royalties.' In the music industry, these terms represent different ways a song earns money (e.g., when it is sold vs. when it is played on the radio). You should be able to discuss the 'accrual of royalties' and how 'advances' are 'recouped' against future royalty payments. This involves a sophisticated understanding of how financial risk is shared between creators and publishers. You might use the word in a legal or high-level economic context: 'The litigation centered on whether the digital streaming platform had correctly calculated the statutory royalties owed to independent labels.' This shows a mastery of the word's role in complex regulatory and commercial disputes.

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At the C2 level, royalty is a concept you can analyze critically across various domains, from the philosophy of ownership to the economics of the 'long tail.' You can discuss the evolution of royalties from the 'royal prerogative' of the middle ages to the modern 'smart contracts' on the blockchain that automate royalty distribution. You understand the nuances of 'royalty stacking' (when multiple royalties apply to one product) and the ethical debates surrounding 'micro-royalties' in the gig economy. A C2 user might say: 'The shift toward a subscription-based model has fundamentally disrupted traditional royalty structures, necessitating a complete reevaluation of how intellectual labor is remunerated in the digital age.' At this level, the word is a tool for deep academic and professional analysis of value and property.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

royalty em 30 segundos

A royalty is a recurring payment made to a creator for the use of their intellectual property, such as books, music, or patents.
Unlike a salary, royalties depend on the success and sales volume of the product, often calculated as a percentage of revenue.
The term can also refer to members of a royal family, but in business, it almost always refers to financial compensation for owners.
Commonly seen in the plural form 'royalties,' it is a key concept in publishing, music, franchising, and natural resource extraction industries.

The term royalty is most frequently used in the world of business, art, and law to describe a specific type of financial arrangement. At its core, a royalty is a payment made to an owner for the ongoing use of their asset or property. Unlike a standard salary, which is paid for hours worked, or a flat fee, which is paid once for a completed task, a royalty is usually calculated as a percentage of the revenue generated from that asset over time. This means that as long as the work—be it a book, a song, a piece of software, or a patented invention—continues to be sold or used, the creator continues to receive payments.

Intellectual Property: This refers to creations of the mind. When you write a story, you own the intellectual property. A royalty is the money you get when a publisher sells that story to readers.

The novelist was able to retire early because she earned a massive royalty from her best-selling series.

In a historical context, the word originally referred to the rights or lands belonging to a king or queen. This is why we use the same word for members of a royal family. However, in modern daily English, unless you are talking about the British Monarchy, you are likely talking about money. When a musician's song is played on the radio, they earn a small amount of money; that is a royalty. When a scientist invents a new type of battery and a car company uses it, they pay a royalty. It is a way of ensuring that creators are rewarded for the long-term value of their ideas rather than just the initial effort of creating them.

Royalties vs. Commission: A commission is usually a one-time payment for making a sale. A royalty is an ongoing payment for the use of something you created.

Every time the movie is shown on television, the actors receive a royalty check in the mail.

The concept of royalties is vital for the creative economy. Without it, authors would only be paid once when they finish a book, and they wouldn't benefit if that book became a global phenomenon. Royalties align the interests of the creator and the distributor. If the book sells millions of copies, both the publisher and the author become wealthy. This incentive encourages high-quality creation. In the digital age, royalties have become more complex. For example, streaming services like Spotify pay 'micro-royalties'—tiny fractions of a cent—every time a user clicks 'play' on a track. While each individual payment is small, they can add up to millions for popular artists.

The photographer decided to sell her images on a royalty-free website to gain more exposure.

Licensing: Licensing is the legal agreement that allows someone to use your work. The royalty is the money paid under that license.

To summarize, a royalty is the financial bridge between an idea and its commercial success. It ensures that the person who originated the value continues to share in that value as it grows. Whether you are an A1 learner or a C2 professional, understanding this word is essential for navigating contracts, the arts, and modern business discussions. It represents the value of ownership over mere labor.

Using the word royalty correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior as both a countable and uncountable noun. In its most common financial sense, it is often used in the plural form: royalties. This is because a creator usually receives many individual payments over time. You might say, 'The author lives off her royalties,' suggesting multiple checks from various book sales. However, when referring to the concept or the rate of payment, the singular form is appropriate, such as in the phrase 'a 10% royalty rate.'

Verb Collocations: Common verbs used with royalty include: earn, receive, pay, collect, and negotiate. For example: 'He earned a royalty on every unit sold.'

The contract specifies that the inventor will receive a 5% royalty on all gross sales.

Another important grammatical structure involves the preposition 'on'. We pay or receive royalties on something. 'She gets royalties on her album sales.' You can also use 'from' to indicate the source: 'Most of his income comes from music royalties.' When discussing the legal status of an item, the compound adjective 'royalty-free' is extremely common. This means you pay once to buy the item (like a stock photo) and never have to pay a royalty again, regardless of how many times you use it.

Compound Nouns: Common pairings include: royalty check, royalty agreement, royalty payment, and royalty statement.

After the song went viral, his monthly royalty statement showed a significant increase.

In more formal or academic writing, you might encounter the term 'statutory royalty.' This refers to a payment rate set by law rather than by a private negotiation between two parties. For instance, in some countries, the amount a radio station pays to play a song is a statutory royalty. When writing about this, you might say: 'The court adjusted the statutory royalty to reflect current market conditions.' This demonstrates a high-level command of the word's application in legal and economic spheres.

Software developers often prefer a one-time licensing fee over a recurring royalty model.

Adjective Usage: You can use 'royal' as an adjective, but 'royalty' itself often acts as a noun adjunct (a noun acting like an adjective), as in 'royalty income'.

Finally, remember that 'royalty' can be used metaphorically in the phrase 'Hollywood royalty' or 'Rock royalty.' This doesn't mean these people are actual kings or queens, nor does it refer to their payments. Instead, it means they are so famous and respected in their field that they are treated like kings. 'Meryl Streep is considered Hollywood royalty.' This usage is very common in entertainment journalism and adds a layer of prestige to the subject.

You will encounter the word royalty in several distinct environments, and the meaning shifts slightly depending on the room you are in. In the music industry, it is the lifeblood of the business. Songwriters, performers, and producers all rely on royalties. You might hear a musician say, 'I'm still waiting for my mechanical royalties,' which refers to payments for the physical or digital reproduction of their music. In this context, the word is almost always associated with the idea of 'making it' or achieving long-term financial stability.

Publishing Houses: In the world of books, authors often receive an 'advance' (money upfront) which is then 'earned out' against future royalties. You'll hear editors discuss 'royalty tiers' where the percentage increases after a certain number of books are sold.

The streaming giant was criticized for the low royalty rates it pays to independent artists.

In the tech and pharmaceutical sectors, royalties are heard during discussions of patents and licensing. If a company wants to use a patented technology—like a specific type of touch-screen sensor—they must pay a royalty to the patent holder. In these corporate boardrooms, the word is often linked to 'compliance' and 'audits.' Companies will 'audit' their partners to ensure they are paying the correct amount of royalties based on the number of products sold. Here, the word feels very formal and carries heavy legal weight.

Natural Resources: In regions with lots of mining or oil, 'royalty' is a household word. Landowners might talk about their 'royalty checks' from the oil company drilling in their backyard.

The government increased the royalty on coal mining to fund environmental restoration.

In the world of fashion and franchising, royalties appear when a brand name is used. If you see a 'Ferrari' hat, the company making the hat likely pays a royalty to Ferrari for the right to use their logo. This is called 'brand licensing.' You'll hear marketing executives talk about 'royalty-bearing products.' This highlights how the word permeates almost every aspect of consumer culture, from the music we stream to the clothes we wear and the technology we use.

Many YouTubers use royalty-free music to avoid copyright strikes on their videos.

The News and Media: When a famous person dies, the news often reports on the 'royalty rights' of their estate, discussing who will inherit the money from their future sales.

Finally, in casual conversation among creators, 'royalty' is often spoken of with a mix of hope and frustration. Independent creators might complain about 'paltry royalties' from digital platforms, while successful ones might be described as 'living on royalties.' Whether it's a legal document, a business negotiation, or a casual chat between artists, the word is a central pillar of how we discuss the value of creativity and ownership in the 21st century.

Because the word royalty has two very different meanings—monarchy and money—the most common mistake is a confusion of context. However, for learners specifically focusing on the financial definition, there are several nuanced errors to avoid. One frequent mistake is confusing 'royalty' with 'loyalty.' While they sound similar, loyalty is a feeling of support or duty (like being loyal to a friend), whereas royalty is a payment. Mixing these up in a business meeting could lead to significant confusion!

Royalty vs. Royal: 'Royal' is an adjective (a royal wedding). 'Royalty' is a noun. You cannot say 'He is a royal person' to mean he receives payments; you must say 'He receives royalties.'

Incorrect: I received my loyalty check today.
Correct: I received my royalty check today.

Another common error is using 'royalty' when you actually mean 'salary' or 'wage.' A salary is a fixed amount paid regularly for work done. A royalty is contingent on sales or usage. If you are an author and you say, 'My publisher pays me a monthly royalty,' but you get the same amount every month regardless of sales, you are likely receiving a 'stipend' or 'salary,' not a royalty. Using the word 'royalty' implies that the amount fluctuates based on how well the product is performing in the market.

Royalty vs. Residuals: In the film industry, actors get 'residuals' for reruns. While similar to royalties, the terms are technically different in legal contracts. Using 'royalty' for an actor's rerun payment is common but technically imprecise.

Mistake: The company pays me a royalty for my time.
Correction: The company pays me a wage for my time.

Learners also often struggle with the term 'royalty-free.' Some people mistakenly think 'royalty-free' means 'free of charge.' This is not true! You usually have to pay to buy a royalty-free image or song. The 'free' part refers to the fact that you are free from *future* royalty payments. You pay once, and then you don't owe any more money, no matter how much you use it. Misunderstanding this can lead to accidental copyright infringement if you assume 'royalty-free' means you can just download it for free from the internet.

Common Error: I found a royalty-free photo, so I didn't have to pay anything at all.

Preposition Pitfall: Don't say 'royalty of sales.' Use 'royalty on sales' or 'royalty from sales.'

Finally, be careful with the spelling. It is 'royalty,' not 'royality' or 'royalaty.' The extra 'i' is a common misspelling by non-native speakers who are trying to follow the pattern of words like 'liberty' or 'equality.' Remembering that the root is simply 'royal' + 'ty' can help you keep the spelling clean and professional in your writing.

To truly master the word royalty, it is helpful to compare it with other financial terms that describe payments for work or property. While 'royalty' is specific to intellectual property and ongoing use, other words cover different types of transactions. Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the most precise word for your context, especially in professional or legal settings.

Residuals: Used primarily in the entertainment industry (TV and film). Actors and directors receive residuals when a show is rebroadcast or sold to a streaming service. It is almost identical to a royalty but used in this specific niche.

While the author earns a royalty, the TV actor earns residuals.

Another close relative is the 'licensing fee.' A licensing fee is often a one-time payment for the right to use something for a specific period. For example, a company might pay a $5,000 licensing fee to use a song in a commercial for one year. In contrast, a royalty would be a payment for every time the commercial airs or for every product sold. Some contracts include both: a flat licensing fee upfront plus an ongoing royalty. This is a common way to structure deals in the software and patent industries.

Commission: A payment based on the value of a sale, usually paid to the person who *made* the sale, not the person who *created* the product.
Dividend: A portion of a company's profits paid to people who own stock in that company.

The inventor preferred a royalty over a flat buyout because he believed the product would be a long-term success.

In some contexts, you might use the word 'honorarium.' This is a payment given for professional services that are rendered nominally without charge, such as a guest lecture at a university. While it is a payment for intellectual work, it is a one-time 'thank you' rather than an ongoing percentage-based royalty. Similarly, a 'stipend' is a fixed sum of money paid periodically for services or to defray expenses, often given to students or interns. Neither of these words captures the performance-based, ongoing nature of a royalty.

The musician's royalty income was supplemented by a stipend from an arts foundation.

Franchise Fee: In business, a person who opens a McDonald's pays a 'franchise fee' (upfront) and then 'royalties' (ongoing) to the main company for the right to use the brand and systems.

By knowing these alternatives, you can speak more accurately about money. Use 'royalty' when the payment is tied to the continued success and usage of an original creation. Use 'residual' for TV/Film reruns, 'commission' for sales help, 'dividend' for investment profits, and 'licensing fee' for a simple right to use. This level of precision is what separates a proficient English speaker from a beginner.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The reason we use the same word for kings and for book payments is that historically, certain rights (like mining) belonged to the 'Crown'. If you wanted to mine, you had to pay the king a 'royalty' for the privilege.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈrɔɪ.əl.ti/

US /ˈrɔɪ.əl.ti/

The stress is on the first syllable: ROY-al-ty.

Rima com

loyalty spoiltie oilty admiralty faculty novelty penalty specialty

Erros comuns

Pronouncing it as 'roy-AL-ity' (adding an extra 'i' and shifting stress).
Confusing the 'r' sound with 'l' (sounding like 'loyalty').
Making the 'al' sound too long like 'all'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

The word itself is easy, but the context in business texts can be complex.

Escrita 3/5

Requires understanding of plural vs. singular and correct prepositions.

Expressão oral 2/5

Easy to pronounce; useful in many contexts.

Audição 2/5

Distinguishing it from 'loyalty' is the main challenge.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

money payment book song sell

Aprenda a seguir

commission dividend license patent copyright

Avançado

intellectual property remuneration residual honorarium stipend

Gramática essencial

Noun adjuncts

In 'royalty check', the noun 'royalty' acts like an adjective to describe 'check'.

Prepositional phrases

We use 'on' or 'from' (royalties on sales, royalties from music).

Plural vs. Singular

Use 'royalties' for the money itself, and 'royalty' for the concept or rate.

Compound adjectives with hyphens

Always hyphenate 'royalty-free' when it comes before a noun.

Passive voice in business

Royalties are paid to the author every six months.

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Exemplos por nível

The writer gets a royalty for every book sold.

Le rédacteur reçoit une redevance pour chaque livre vendu.

Uses 'gets' as a simple verb for receiving.

My favorite singer earns royalties from his music.

Mon chanteur préféré gagne des redevances grâce à sa musique.

Plural 'royalties' is common for ongoing payments.

Is a royalty a type of money?

Une redevance est-elle un type d'argent ?

Simple question structure.

He wrote a song and now he gets a royalty.

Il a écrit une chanson et maintenant il reçoit une redevance.

Singular 'royalty' referring to the concept.

The royalty check is in the mail.

Le chèque de redevance est à la poste.

Compound noun: royalty check.

She is happy because she got a royalty today.

Elle est heureuse parce qu'elle a reçu une redevance aujourd'hui.

Past tense 'got'.

Royalties help artists pay their bills.

Les redevances aident les artistes à payer leurs factures.

Subject-verb agreement with plural noun.

Does the author receive a royalty?

L'auteur reçoit-il une redevance ?

Present simple question with 'does'.

The company pays a royalty to the inventor.

L'entreprise paie une redevance à l'inventeur.

Verb 'pays' + object + 'to' someone.

I found some royalty-free music for my video.

J'ai trouvé de la musique libre de droits pour ma vidéo.

Compound adjective: royalty-free.

She earns royalties every time her song is on the radio.

Elle gagne des redevances chaque fois que sa chanson passe à la radio.

Used with 'every time' to show frequency.

The book was famous, so the royalties were high.

Le livre était célèbre, les redevances étaient donc élevées.

Plural noun with plural verb 'were'.

Do you have a royalty agreement with the publisher?

Avez-vous un accord de redevance avec l'éditeur ?

Compound noun: royalty agreement.

He lives on the royalties from his old inventions.

Il vit des redevances de ses anciennes inventions.

Phrasal verb 'lives on' + royalties.

The artist receives a small royalty for each stream.

L'artiste reçoit une petite redevance pour chaque écoute.

Singular royalty used with 'each'.

They are discussing the royalty payments today.

Ils discutent des paiements de redevances aujourd'hui.

Present continuous tense.

The author negotiated a 10% royalty on all net sales.

L'auteur a négocié une redevance de 10 % sur toutes les ventes nettes.

Preposition 'on' used for the basis of the royalty.

Most of her income comes from international royalties.

La majeure partie de ses revenus provient de redevances internationales.

Adjective 'international' modifying royalties.

If the product fails, the inventor won't receive any royalties.

Si le produit échoue, l'inventeur ne recevra aucune redevance.

First conditional sentence.

The publisher sent a detailed royalty statement last week.

L'éditeur a envoyé un relevé de redevances détaillé la semaine dernière.

Compound noun: royalty statement.

Can we reduce the royalty rate for the first year?

Pouvons-nous réduire le taux de redevance pour la première année ?

Compound noun: royalty rate.

The musician was surprised by how low the streaming royalties were.

Le musicien a été surpris par la faiblesse des redevances de streaming.

Passive voice 'was surprised by'.

Royalties are usually paid twice a year in the publishing industry.

Les redevances sont généralement payées deux fois par an dans le secteur de l'édition.

Adverb 'usually' showing frequency.

She decided to buy royalty-free images to save money.

Elle a décidé d'acheter des images libres de droits pour économiser de l'argent.

Infinitive 'to save' showing purpose.

The franchise agreement requires a monthly royalty of 5% of gross revenue.

Le contrat de franchise exige une redevance mensuelle de 5 % du chiffre d'affaires brut.

Formal business terminology: 'gross revenue'.

Mineral royalties provide a significant source of wealth for the state.

Les redevances minières constituent une source de richesse importante pour l'État.

Specific term: 'mineral royalties'.

The estate of the deceased author still collects royalties on his books.

La succession de l'auteur décédé perçoit toujours des redevances sur ses livres.

Legal term: 'estate'.

The patent holder sued the company for unpaid royalties.

Le titulaire du brevet a poursuivi l'entreprise pour redevances impayées.

Verb 'sued' + 'for'.

High royalty costs can sometimes discourage small businesses from using new tech.

Des coûts de redevance élevés peuvent parfois décourager les petites entreprises d'utiliser les nouvelles technologies.

Gerund 'using' after 'discourage from'.

He is considered rock royalty because of his massive influence on the genre.

Il est considéré comme une figure de proue du rock en raison de son influence massive sur le genre.

Metaphorical usage of royalty.

The software is licensed on a royalty-bearing basis.

Le logiciel est sous licence sur une base générant des redevances.

Adjective 'royalty-bearing'.

The government is reviewing the royalty structure for offshore wind farms.

Le gouvernement examine la structure des redevances pour les parcs éoliens en mer.

Noun phrase: 'royalty structure'.

The artist's advance must be fully recouped before any royalties are paid.

L'avance de l'artiste doit être intégralement remboursée avant que des redevances ne soient versées.

Technical terms: 'advance' and 'recouped'.

Mechanical royalties are generated when music is reproduced in a physical or digital format.

Les redevances mécaniques sont générées lorsque la musique est reproduite sous un format physique ou numérique.

Specific industry term: 'mechanical royalties'.

The dispute hinged on the interpretation of the 'net receipts' clause in the royalty agreement.

Le litige reposait sur l'interprétation de la clause des « recettes nettes » dans le contrat de redevance.

Complex verb phrase: 'hinged on'.

Statutory royalties are often set by a government-appointed board to ensure fairness.

Les redevances légales sont souvent fixées par un conseil nommé par le gouvernement pour garantir l'équité.

Adjective 'statutory' (required by law).

The author’s royalties dwindled as the book fell out of fashion.

Les redevances de l'auteur ont diminué à mesure que le livre passait de mode.

Sophisticated verb 'dwindled'.

They reached a settlement regarding the retroactive royalties owed from the last five years.

Ils sont parvenus à un règlement concernant les redevances rétroactives dues pour les cinq dernières années.

Adjective 'retroactive'.

The singer-songwriter retains the performance royalties even if the label owns the master recording.

L'auteur-compositeur-interprète conserve les redevances d'exécution même si le label possède l'enregistrement original.

Nuanced industry distinction.

A sliding scale royalty increases as sales volume reaches certain milestones.

Une redevance dégressive augmente à mesure que le volume des ventes atteint certains seuils.

Noun phrase: 'sliding scale royalty'.

The proliferation of digital platforms has necessitated a recalibration of traditional royalty models.

La prolifération des plateformes numériques a nécessité un recalibrage des modèles de redevances traditionnels.

Advanced vocabulary: 'proliferation', 'necessitated', 'recalibration'.

The court examined whether the royalty stacking was prohibitive to market entry for new competitors.

Le tribunal a examiné si l'accumulation de redevances était prohibitive pour l'entrée sur le marché de nouveaux concurrents.

Complex concept: 'royalty stacking'.

Authors often find that the 'work-for-hire' doctrine is a double-edged sword regarding future royalties.

Les auteurs constatent souvent que la doctrine du « travail sur commande » est une arme à double tranchant en ce qui concerne les redevances futures.

Metaphorical idiom: 'double-edged sword'.

The artist sought to audit the publisher to ensure there were no discrepancies in the royalty accounting.

L'artiste a cherché à auditer l'éditeur pour s'assurer qu'il n'y avait pas d'écarts dans la comptabilité des redevances.

Subjunctive-like 'ensure there were'.

Remuneration via royalties aligns the long-term incentives of the creator with those of the commercial entity.

La rémunération par redevances aligne les incitations à long terme du créateur sur celles de l'entité commerciale.

Formal academic phrasing.

The statutory royalty rate for digital transmissions remains a contentious issue in copyright law.

Le taux de redevance légal pour les transmissions numériques reste une question litigieuse dans le droit d'auteur.

Adjective 'contentious'.

The estate's management of the artist's royalties has been characterized by aggressive litigation.

La gestion des redevances de l'artiste par la succession a été caractérisée par des litiges agressifs.

Passive present perfect: 'has been characterized by'.

Smart contracts on the blockchain could potentially automate the distribution of royalties with granular precision.

Les contrats intelligents sur la blockchain pourraient potentiellement automatiser la distribution des redevances avec une précision granulaire.

Technical/Futuristic context.

Sinônimos

payment fee commission share percentage

Antônimos

bill debt

Colocações comuns

earn royalties

pay royalties

royalty rate

royalty-free

collect royalties

unpaid royalties

royalty agreement

royalty statement

mechanical royalties

mineral royalties

Frases Comuns

live on royalties

— To have enough money from royalties that you do not need another job.

After his hit song, he could live on royalties for the rest of his life.

royalty check

— A physical check or payment received as a royalty.

The author was excited to receive her first royalty check.

standard royalty

— The typical or average amount paid in a specific industry.

A 10% royalty is standard for new authors in publishing.

accrued royalties

— Royalties that have been earned but not yet paid out.

The company’s balance sheet showed $50,000 in accrued royalties.

royalty base

— The total amount of sales used to calculate the royalty payment.

The royalty base is the net price of the book after discounts.

future royalties

— Payments that will be earned from sales that haven't happened yet.

He sold the rights to his future royalties for a lump sum.

royalty cap

— A maximum limit on the amount of royalties that can be paid.

The contract included a royalty cap of one million dollars.

royalty holiday

— A period during which no royalties are required to be paid.

The startup was granted a two-year royalty holiday to help it grow.

royalty audit

— A formal examination of records to ensure correct royalty payments.

The band requested a royalty audit from their record label.

gross royalty

— A royalty calculated on the total sales before any deductions.

A gross royalty is usually better for the creator than a net royalty.

Frequentemente confundido com

royalty vs loyalty

Loyalty is being faithful to a friend or brand. Royalty is money for a book or song.

royalty vs royal

Royal is an adjective (royal family). Royalty is a noun (the payment or the group of royals).

royalty vs salary

A salary is a fixed amount for time worked. A royalty is a percentage based on sales.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Hollywood royalty"

— Extremely famous and respected actors or families in the film industry.

The Barrymores are considered Hollywood royalty.

informal/journalistic

"rock royalty"

— Very famous and influential rock musicians.

Mick Jagger is absolute rock royalty.

informal/journalistic

"treat someone like royalty"

— To treat someone with great respect and provide them with luxury.

The hotel staff treated us like royalty during our stay.

common

"literary royalty"

— Highly respected and famous authors.

Toni Morrison was literary royalty.

journalistic

"fashion royalty"

— The most influential designers and editors in fashion.

Anna Wintour is fashion royalty.

journalistic

"sporting royalty"

— Legendary athletes who are revered in their sport.

Pelé was sporting royalty in Brazil.

journalistic

"a royal pain"

— Something or someone that is extremely annoying (related to the 'king' meaning).

Filling out these tax forms is a royal pain.

informal

"royal road to success"

— An easy or direct way to achieve something (often used in the negative).

There is no royal road to success; you have to work hard.

literary

"royal treatment"

— Excellent and luxurious service.

We got the royal treatment at the spa.

common

"battle royal"

— A fight or competition involving many people.

The election turned into a battle royal between the two candidates.

formal

Fácil de confundir

royalty vs Commission

Both are percentage-based payments.

Commission is for selling someone else's product; royalty is for owning the thing being sold.

The salesman got a commission, but the inventor got a royalty.

royalty vs Residual

Both are ongoing payments for past work.

Residuals are specifically for TV and film reruns; royalties are for books, music, and patents.

The actor receives residuals, while the songwriter receives royalties.

royalty vs Dividend

Both are ways to get money from an asset you own.

Dividends come from owning stock in a company; royalties come from owning intellectual property.

He receives dividends from Apple and royalties from his app.

royalty vs Licensing Fee

Both involve paying to use something.

A fee is often a one-time flat payment; a royalty is usually an ongoing percentage.

We paid a $500 licensing fee and a 2% royalty.

royalty vs Stipend

Both are types of payments that aren't quite 'salaries'.

A stipend is a fixed allowance for living or expenses; a royalty is a profit-share from sales.

The researcher gets a monthly stipend and royalties from his published findings.

Padrões de frases

I get a royalty.

I get a royalty for my song.

He earns royalties from [noun].

He earns royalties from his books.

The royalty rate is [percentage].

The royalty rate is 15%.

They signed a royalty agreement.

They signed a royalty agreement yesterday.

Royalties are recouped against the advance.

The royalties are recouped against the initial advance.

The statutory royalty was subject to litigation.

The statutory royalty was subject to prolonged litigation.

General

Is this [noun] royalty-free?

Is this photo royalty-free?

General

She lives on her royalties.

She lives on her royalties from the 90s.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

royalty

royalist

royalism

Verbos

royalize (rare)

Adjetivos

royal

princely

regal

Relacionado

monarchy

license

patent

residual

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Como usar

frequency

Common in business, arts, and legal English. Rare in very basic daily chores talk.

Erros comuns

Using 'royality' instead of 'royalty'. → royalty
There is no 'i' before the 'ty'. It follows the pattern of 'royal' + 'ty'.
Saying 'I received my loyalty check'. → I received my royalty check.
Loyalty is about being a faithful friend; royalty is about payment for work.
Thinking 'royalty-free' means 'zero dollars'. → I paid for a royalty-free license.
Royalty-free means no *recurring* payments, but there is usually an upfront cost.
Saying 'The company royalties me'. → The company pays me a royalty.
Royalty is a noun, not a verb. You must use it with a verb like 'pay' or 'earn'.
Confusing 'royalty' with 'royal'. → He is royalty. / He is royal.
Use 'royalty' as a noun for the group or the payment. Use 'royal' as an adjective.

Dicas

Context is King

Always look at the surrounding words. If you see 'King Charles' and 'royalty,' it's about the monarchy. If you see 'Spotify' and 'royalty,' it's about money.

Use the Plural

When talking about the money you earn, 'royalties' (plural) is almost always more natural than 'royalty' (singular). Say 'I earn royalties' not 'I earn royalty'.

Check the Rate

If you ever sign a contract for a book or app, look for the 'royalty rate.' This is the most important number for your long-term earnings.

Preposition 'On'

Remember to use 'on' when saying what the royalty is for. 'A royalty on sales' is the standard way to say it in business English.

Royalty-Free vs Free

Don't get confused! Royalty-free music often costs money to buy the first time. It just means no 'ongoing' payments are needed later.

The 'R' and 'L'

Practice saying 'Royalty' and 'Loyalty' back to back. One starts with a vibrating 'R' (tongue back), the other with a clear 'L' (tongue on teeth).

Compound Adjectives

When using 'royalty-free' before a noun (like 'royalty-free music'), always use a hyphen. If it's after the noun, you don't need one.

Micro-royalties

In modern podcasts, you might hear 'micro-royalties.' This refers to the tiny payments (less than a cent) from streaming services.

The King's Share

Associate the word with a King taking his 'share' of the gold from a mine. This helps you remember it's a share of the profit.

Regional Differences

In the UK, 'Royalty' is a very common word in the news because of the Royal Family. In the US, it's mostly a business term.

Memorize

Mnemônico

ROY (a king) gets the ALTY (all tea/all the money) for his ideas. Think of a King (Royal) sitting on a pile of money from his books.

Associação visual

Imagine a king wearing a crown, but instead of holding a sword, he is holding a book and a check for $1,000,000.

Word Web

Money Book Song Invention King Queen Contract Percentage

Desafio

Try to use the word 'royalty' and 'royalty-free' in the same paragraph about making a video. For example: 'I used royalty-free music so I wouldn't have to pay a royalty to the artist later.'

Origem da palavra

From Old French 'roialte', which came from the Latin 'regalis' (royal). In the 15th century, it referred to the rights or lands of a king. By the 19th century, it began to be used for payments made to a landowner or creator.

Significado original: The state or rank of a monarch; kingly power.

Indo-European (Romance via Latin).

Contexto cultural

No major sensitivities, but be aware that 'royalty' can imply wealth, which might be a sensitive topic in some economic discussions.

In the UK, be careful: 'The Royalty' usually means the Queen/King. In the US, it's almost always about money.

The Beatles' royalties are some of the most valuable in history. The song 'Happy Birthday' used to require a royalty payment until it entered the public domain. J.K. Rowling became a billionaire largely through book royalties.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Music Industry

streaming royalties
performance royalties
songwriting royalties
royalties per play

Book Publishing

author royalties
hardcover royalties
ebook royalties
royalty statement

Business/Franchising

franchise royalty
royalty fee
percentage of sales
royalty agreement

Technology/Patents

patent royalty
licensing royalty
royalty-free license
statutory royalty

Natural Resources

oil royalties
mineral rights
royalty owner
government royalty

Iniciadores de conversa

"Did you know that some authors can live entirely on their royalties?"

"Do you think streaming services pay enough royalties to musicians?"

"Have you ever used royalty-free music for a project?"

"If you invented something, would you prefer a big payment now or royalties forever?"

"Why do you think the word for a king's family is the same as the word for a book payment?"

Temas para diário

Imagine you are a famous musician. Write about the day you received your first big royalty check.

Should all creative work be royalty-free after a certain number of years? Explain your opinion.

If you could earn a royalty on any daily activity (like walking or talking), what would it be and why?

Write a short story about an inventor who struggles because no one is paying him his royalties.

Compare the life of someone with a salary to someone who lives on royalties. Which is better?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

A salary is a fixed amount of money you get for working a certain number of hours. A royalty is money you get based on how much your work is used or sold. For example, a teacher gets a salary, but an author gets a royalty for every book sold. If the book doesn't sell, the author gets no royalty.

No, 'royalty-free' does not usually mean free of cost. It means that after you pay the initial price to buy the item (like a photo), you do not have to pay any *additional* royalties every time you use it. You pay once and own the right to use it forever without further payments.

Royalties are usually calculated as a percentage of sales. For example, if a song earns $1.00 and the royalty rate is 10%, the artist gets $0.10. Some royalties are calculated based on 'gross' sales (total money) and others on 'net' sales (money left after costs).

The word comes from the rights of kings (royals). In the past, kings owned the land and the minerals in it. If someone wanted to mine gold, they had to pay the king a 'royalty' for using his property. Over time, this word was used for payments to authors and inventors too.

Authors, musicians, inventors, photographers, and even landowners can receive royalties. Anyone who owns 'intellectual property' or certain types of physical property (like oil-rich land) can receive these payments.

Yes, royalties are a form of property. When a creator dies, their right to receive royalties usually passes to their family or 'estate.' This is why the families of famous musicians like Elvis Presley still earn money today.

A royalty check is the actual payment (often a physical check or a bank transfer) that a creator receives. Most companies send these checks every few months along with a statement showing how much was sold.

It depends on the industry. In book publishing, 10% is very common for new authors. in the music industry, it might be different. Generally, the more famous you are, the higher the royalty rate you can negotiate.

Unpaid royalties are money that a company owes to a creator but hasn't paid yet. This can happen because of accounting errors, or sometimes companies try to avoid paying. Many artists have to sue companies to get their unpaid royalties.

Yes, there is a market where people can sell the rights to their future royalties for a large amount of cash today. This is often done by musicians who want a lot of money right away instead of waiting years for small payments.

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