On the Bookshelf - Do I Need A Copyright Notice?

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Until 1989 a published work had to contain a valid copyright notice to receive protection under the copyright laws but this requirement is no longer in force - works first published after March 1, 1989 need not include a copyright notice to gain protection under the law.

But even though a copyright notice is not required it's still important to include one. When a work contains a valid notice the person infringing cannot claim in court that he or she didn't know it was copyrighted. This makes it much easier to win a copyright infringement case and perhaps collect enough damages to make the cost of the case worthwhile and the very existence of a notice might discourage infringement.

Finally, including a copyright notice may make it easier for a potential infringing person to track down a copyright owner and legitimately obtain permission to use the work.

A copyright notice should contain:

•  The word copyright
•  A 'c' in a circle ©
•  Tthe date of publication
•  The name of either the author or the owner of all the copyright rights in the published work

For example - the correct copyright for the fourth edition of 'The Tale of the River' by Jake Raking is Copyright © 1998 by Jake Raking.

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