What Indicates That Something Is Copyrighted?

A copyright is an important tool used to protect your original creative work. Traditionally, copyright notices have been placed on these works to denote ownership.

Types

A copyright can be indicated by words or by symbols.

Words

To show that a work is copyrighted using words, on the work write either the full word "copyright" or the abbreviation "copyr," your full name and the year the work was first published.

Symbols

The symbol denoting copyright is ©, that is, a letter "C" enclosed by a circle. On your work also follow the symbol by your full name and the year of publication.

Considerations

Copyright notices on work have been optional since March 1989.

Warning

Not including a copyright notice on your work makes it harder to disprove a copyright infringer's claim that they did not know the work was protected.

Misconceptions

You do not need to register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office to use a copyright notice.

References

• U.S. Copyright Office