How do I Find a Caption for Copyright?

Start all copyright captions by using the copyright symbol.

Copyright is a legal protection afforded to the authors of original works of literature, art, music and drama. The use of a copyright caption or notice helps others identify a work as copyright protected. It is important to note that work created on or after March 1, 1989, is not required to have a copyright caption attached to it in order to gain legal protection. Therefore, it is necessary to assume that all work is copyrighted until proven otherwise. Captions start with the copyright symbol followed by the year of creation and the name of the author.

Instructions

Literary Works

1. Open a book to the title page and search for the copyright caption. Publishers usually place captions for copyright on the title page, the page following the title page or the first or last page of the main pages of the literary work.

2. Turn the work over and check the back of the work for a copyright caption. Some publishers will place the copyright on the back cover. Single-page work may have the copyright on the front or page of the page.

3. Open a periodical and check the title page. Find the copyright caption in a periodical or any work published as a series by checking the masthead (usually on the cover of the periodical or in the first few pages), the title page or the first prominent heading in the publication.

4. Scroll through a Web page or a website to locate the copyright caption. Captions can be found at the top or bottom of a page or article or may be located in pages outlining terms of service or describing the owner's of the website.

Motion Pictures and Audiovisual

1. Watch the credits to locate the copyright caption. Copyright notices are placed at the beginning of the piece, at the end of the piece or within the credits for cast and crew that run after the end of the work. Video and films found online may have a copyright caption below the video window, on the page the video is embedded in or placed as a watermark on top of the video.

2. Read the tape or film. Copyright captions can be found on the leader tape of work placed on film reels usually at the beginning of the work. The information is electronically or photomechanically embedded on the film.

3. Purchase a copy of the movie. Copyright captions can sometimes be found written on the disk or tape or within the material accompanying the purchase like the sleeve or box that protects the item.

Pictorial, Sculptural and Graphic Works

1. Scan the front or the back of the work to locate a copyright notice. If a work is permanently housed inside a frame or is attached to some other material, the copyright may be placed on that frame or material. This includes a base or a framework as in the case of a sculptural piece.

2. Unroll items like wallpaper designs, posters, fabric or any item that is a created as a continuous or sheet-like product. Check the selvage, margin or the reverse side of the item for the copyright.

3. Read any literature or packaging accompanying the work. Items designed for mass production or commerce may have copyright captions placed on containers, tags, spools or other packaging or housing.

Tips & Warnings

• A loupe or magnifying glass can help with the search for a copyright caption or other identifying marks. Other marks include a manufacturers stamp, factory name or authors signature. These additional marks can help locate the person or company that retains copyrights for the work.

• Items dated prior to March 1, 1989, must contain a copyright caption to retain copyright protection.

• Using copyrighted material without permission from the author is an offense punishable by law.

References

• U.S. Copyright Office: Circular 1 Copyright Basics --- Notice of Copyright
• U.S. Copyright Office: Circular 3 Copyright Notice --- Position of Notice

Resources

• U.S. Copyright Office: List of Copyright Publications