When and Where to Use a Copyright Notice

Protect your work by letting others know you own it and who they need to contact for permission to use it. It's easier than you might think.

Find out more about Copyrights

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when and where to use a copyright notice

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Updated on: July 31, 2024
Read time: 3 min

When you create an original work, it is automatically protected under copyright law. However, if you ever wish to bring a copyright infringement case before the court, you need to ensure that you have registered your copyright. Whether or not your work is registered, you should make it a point to use a copyright notice on all of your work to protect your rights.

Drawing of Copyright Logo

A copyright notice is a voluntary statement placed on your work to inform the public that you own the work and that it is protected by copyright law. A copyright notice serves to:

  • Give notice to potential infringers
  • Act as evidence of willful infringement
  • Provide information about the author for licensing requests

A copyright notice does not actually protect your work—the mere act of creating it does that. Instead, it acts as way to hang out your shingle and let the world know that your work exists, that you own it, and permission must be granted if someone wishes to use it.

A copyright notice is optional for unpublished works, foreign works, and works published after March 1, 1989, when the United States signed on to the Berne Convention. Even though you are no longer required to use the copyright notice on published works, you should, because it adds an extra layer of protection.

A copyright notice is so simple and straightforward that you can create one within minutes. There are four essential parts to a standard copyright notice:

  1. The copyright symbol or word. You have a few choices: the copyright symbol (©), the word “copyright," or the abbreviation “Copr."
  1. The publication year. The first time that the work is published or made public should be listed. Doing so also helps determine how long the copyright protection will last.
  2. The author's or business's name. This makes it easy to determine who needs to be contacted to ask for permission to use the work.
  3. The statement of rights. This can be as simple as saying “All rights reserved," which means that you do not allow anyone to use your work without your permission. You can also state “No rights reserved," which indicates that you are okay with others using your work.

When you put all four parts together, you get a copyright notice that looks like this: © 2019 ABC Corporation.

Place the copyright notice where people can easily see it, such as in the footer of your website. Copyright notices on a website or blog should use a date range like © 2018-2019 ABC Corporation to ensure that all of the content on the site is protected. If the copyrighted work is tangible, place the notice on the outside or somewhere highly visible. Digital works should include the notice on the terms and agreements page.

A copyright notice is entirely optional, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you don't use it, particularly because it's so simple to do so and the benefits are significant. Registering your copyright adds an extra layer of protection should someone commit infringement.

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This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

57 days ago
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Obtaining a Copyright

I had some questions about copyright, and he answered all of them. He was pleasant to talk to very professional. I was very pleased. I've been using legalzoom for many years, and I love you guys. Thank you.

NORINA PURRO
58 days ago
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Happy customer

Ms. Green, was very helpful in assisting me step-by-step in guiding through the process in getting my copyright application. She was patient and very polite. She offered to follow-up on my completed, make sure the process was successful.

Ayesha
64 days ago
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Superior Customer Service

Superior customer service and expertise from Patti Green. I have a urgent need for an attorney consultation regarding state level copyright law. Ms. Green quickly and seamlessly steered me to the plan which affords this service. The consult was immediately scheduled for the next day. To say the least, this experience was exemplary.

Guy Hampson
69 days ago
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Copyright registration

Karen helped me immensely during my copyright registration. Very patient. Carrie was alos very good over there.

rjparadee
113 days ago
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So far whenever I have tried to work…

So far whenever I have tried to work with Legal Zoom it has been a great experience. Both Holly and Denise have helped to make my tour of the legal process for a copyright excellent and I now have my copyright in my hands. I might add that I am amazed I got it under the oligarchy at all after doge got done.

Connie Lednum
107 days ago
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Great Copyright Registration Experience

Walked me through the process to register my copyright. Made everything quick and easy!

Cheryl C
126 days ago
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Your expertise and knowledge of my…

Your expertise and knowledge of my questions regarding my copyright I applied for was nothing less than stellar!

Lorenzo Vito
153 days ago
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Time and clarity

Thank you for your time and clarity explaining items from my behalf in regards to Copyright material. I also appreciate the no queue waiting on line when I called. I do recommend you.

Adriant Sanchez
161 days ago
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Elizabeth was AMAZING!!!

Elizabeth was AMAZING!!!, She walk me thru the whole copyright process. Thank you

Adewale Agboke Jr
169 days ago
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Very responsive and was able to answer…

Very responsive and was able to answer my questions about Copyright options quickly and professionally.

Daniel White
324 days ago
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Great customer service

Great customer service! The LegalZoom representative showed genuine care. She followed up on my Copyright Order, and remembered me and my name from the previous Copyright phone call. She was very helpful and represented LegalZoom with excellence. Thank you for hiring, and retaining such a talented energetic representative.

Joshua Earl
565 days ago
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Legal Zoom Delivers On Their Promises!

Legal Zoom is professional, accommodating, and gracious. We went to them for copyright help, and true to their promise, we accomplished this endeavor in 30 minutes. EASY!! What a fresh breath of air to find a company that delivers exactly what they say they will! We'll be a Legal Zoomers for life!

Alice Osborne
1203 days ago
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Better than "Uncle Sam"

I had to get a copyright done and got nowhere with the U.S. Government Copyright Office, it was a joke! Legal Zoom took care of it and had me "fixed up" in 5 minutes. Thank You, Legal Zoom!

Padu
1310 days ago
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Legal Zoom performance is exceptional

Legal Zoom his handled four copyright applications for me and they are exceptional.

C Robert Cales
1587 days ago
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Copyright application

I am a new author and am filing copyright for my manuscript. My experience with LegalZoom has been very successful and a pleasure. The associate was knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend this service.

DJS
1747 days ago
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LegalZoom's Guidance is the best

I'm applying for a copyright for the first time and I was very nervous. My status page told me there was a problem and I should call LegalZoom. Kirk explained it was just a simple confirmation that was needed and he took the time to explain why its needed and talked me through what happens next. LegalZoom is just the best thing for a first time business owner like myslef.

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