What is a copyright notice and when should I use it?

A copyright notice is a statement that appears on copies of an original work, usually at the bottom of the work or on the back of the product, that indicates that the work is protected by copyright law. The notice usually contains three main components: the copyright symbol ©, the year the work was published, and the name of the copyright holder. It serves as a way to inform people that the work is protected by copyright law and to discourage potential infringers. People should use a copyright notice whenever they create an original work that is eligible for copyright protection. Copyright protection exists for a wide variety of works including books, music, photography, websites, and software. A copyright notice may be used for any work that is protected by copyright law, regardless of whether registration is necessary. Although a copyright notice is not legally required in the United States, it can be beneficial to include one. The notice helps to remind potential users that the work is protected and is authorized to be used only by the copyright holder. Additionally, if someone does infringe upon the work, it may be more difficult for the infringer to claim that they were unaware that the work was protected by law. In Nebraska, the copyright law is similar to the national copyright law. Although it is not required, it is highly recommended that authors and artists use a copyright notice to protect their work. Doing so can help secure the rights of the copyright holder.

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