What is a copyright symbol and when do I need to use it?

A copyright symbol is a symbol used to indicate that a work is protected by copyright law. This symbol is commonly a "C" in a circle that looks like this: ©. The copyright symbol can also be followed with the name of the copyright owner and the year the work was created. When you create a work – like an academic paper, a painting, a song, etc. – you automatically have the rights of the copyright holder even without including the symbol. However, including the copyright symbol along with your name and the year makes it easier to show that you are the creator and owner of the work. In the state of Minnesota, it is not required that you use a copyright symbol, but it is recommended. By using a copyright symbol, you are indicating that you own the work and want to be protected by copyright law. The symbol symbolically claims your right to be the sole owner of the work and prevents unauthorized use of your work. Additionally, if you use the copyright symbol it is easier to enforce the copyright law if your work is used without permission. Therefore, it is recommended that whenever you create a new work, you should include the copyright symbol along with your name and the year. This will help to protect your work from unauthorized use and help you get the credit you deserve.

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What is a copyright symbol and when do I need to use it?

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