How Do I Correctly Format a Copyright?

Copyright-owners legally hold many exclusive rights to their work.

United States copyright law no longer requires authors to use copyright statements. However, a copyright notice can be helpful in discouraging unauthorized use of published works. The law was changed in 1978, so works published before 1979 still require a copyright notice.



United States copyright law gives the owner of the copyright many exclusive rights, including the right to reproduce the work, perform it and prepare derivative works based on this work. Other uses without authorization from the copyright owner are forbidden.

Instructions

1. Write the word, "Copyright," the copyright symbol © (the letter C in a circle) or or the abbreviation, "Copr.", on your work. You can also combine "Copyright" and the copyright symbol, but this is redundant and unnecessary.

2. Write the first publication year on the work.

3. Write the name of the copyright owner. Examples of a full copyright notice would be: "Copyright 2010 ZXYWVU Company"; "Copyright © 1995 Jane Doe"; or "© 1981 Demand Studios."

Tips & Warnings

• The copyright notice must contain the three elements noted above but not in any specific order.

• Although registration is not a requirement for protection, registration with the Copyright Office does provide additional rights, including establishing a public record of the copyright, allowing an infringement suit to be filed in court, and the ability to register with U.S Customs Service for protection against importation of infringing copies. Registration fees range from $35 to $65, depending on the registration method used.

References

• U.S. Copyright Office:Information Circulars and Factsheets