Once you’ve written something – be it an article, brochure, or web content – as long as your work is original you may have the copyright on it.
According to the U.S. Copyright Office, “copyright is a form of protection provided by U.S. law to authors of “original works of authorship.”
“The use of the copyright notice is your responsibility as the copyright owner and does not require permission from, or registration with, the Copyright Office.”
Here’s how you can indicate copyrights on material you’ve written. As per the U.S. Copyright Office, the notice for visually perceptible copies should contain the following three elements:
1. The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word “Copyright,” or the abbreviation “Copr.”
2. The year of first publication of the work.
3. The name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized, or a generally known alternative designation of the owner.
Example: © 2000 John Doe
The “C in a circle” notice is used only on “visually perceptible copies.”
Want more details? Visit the U.S. Copyright Office Web site or consult with an attorney who specializes in copyright law.
Disclaimer: The information herein is provided as a service by Debra Jason and The Write Direction. Neither takes responsibility for delivering legal advice. Please consult legal counsel to obtain answers to any specific questions you have regarding the details of copyright law.
