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

A copyright notice is a way for an author to let others know that they created and own the materials. It is a statement that includes the copyright symbol (©), the year of first publication, and the name of the copyright holder. For example, a copyright notice for a book might look like “© 2020 Jane Doe.” In Vermont, you should use a copyright notice any time you have created a copyrighted work, such as a book, website, software, or artwork. Using a copyright notice informs others that the work is protected under copyright law and that no one is allowed to use or reproduce it without permission from the copyright holder. When you include a copyright notice on your work, you also make it easier to prove your ownership in court, should someone violate your copyright. A court will take your copyright notice into consideration when assessing a case of copyright infringement. In addition to a copyright notice, you may also want to consider registering your copyright with the United States Copyright Office. Doing so provides additional legal protection and can help you to receive financial compensation if someone infringes upon your copyright.

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