Copyright Overview

Copyright Notice

Since 1989, there is no longer a legal requirement for a copyright notice. However, placing a copyright notice on your work puts the world on notice that you are claiming ownership. Use of the notice may be important because it informs the public that the work is protected by copyright, identifies the copyright owner, and shows the year of first publication. This prevents anyone from copying your work and claiming they are an "innocent infringer" - that they didn't know the work was protected.

A proper copyright notice consists of the following elements:

  • The © symbol (© in HTML code).
  • The first year of publication.
  • The copyright owner's name.

The complete copyright notice would look like this:

Copyright © 2006 COPYRIGHT OWNERS NAME. All rights reserved.

Although not legally required, it is recommended that both the term "Copyright" and the "©" symbol be used for works displayed online. This is because some web browsers may not be able to display the "c-in-a-circle" symbol that is required for international protection in some countries. The date indicated should be the year of publication.

The copyright notice should appear on the last page of multi-page documents, or at the bottom of single-page material. For example:

  • Books: Title page, page immediately following the title page, either side of the front or back cover, first or last page of the main body of the work.
  • Brochures and Sales Literature: At the bottom of the back cover or the back page.
  • Ads and Posters: At the bottom of the page, usually below the logo and address.
  • Artwork: The front or back of the copies, any backing, mounting, framing, or other material to which the copies are durably attached, so as to withstand normal use.
  • Newsletters: With the editorial staff information.
  • Websites: At the bottom of each web page.
  • Computer Programs: With or near the title or at the end of the work, at the user's terminal at sign-on, reproduced durably on a label securely affixed to the copies or to a container used as a permanent receptacle for the copies.
  • Sound Recordings: Special requirements apply. See our section music copyright notice.

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