How to Use a Copyright Notice in Just 3 Questions

1. What is a Copyright Notice?

Under EU law, copyright protection arises automatically (i.e., no registration needed), provided the work is original, meaning it reflects the author's own intellectual creation.

A copyright notice is a declaration typically used to inform the public that a work is protected by copyright and to identify the copyright owner.

2. Why to use a Copyright Notice?

While the use of a copyright notice is not mandatory under the EU Copyright legislation, it serves several practical purposes such as to:

  • identify the owner of the rights
  • provide information about the rights and conditions for use,
  • discourage potential infringers by signaling that the copyright owner is vigilant and prepared to enforce their rights.

Including a copyright notice can also support enforcement by demonstrating a clear intent to assert copyright, which might be relevant in legal disputes.

3. How to add a Copyright Notice?

There is no legally prescribed form or template for a copyright notice, as it is not a legal requirement under EU legislation. Nevertheless, a copyright notice is a useful tool, and copyright owners are encouraged to include one on their works.

Additionally, providing a copyright notice can help inform the public about certain exceptions or limitations, such as those related to educational use.

Depending on the rights you wish to grant to users, Creative Commons (CC) licences* can also be used to design your copyright notice and share your work. Below are two examples of copyright notices that you can use for your works or websites:

A restrictive Copyright Notice example:

© [Name of owner], [Year of creation/publication]
“This is a copyright-protected work. It may not be reproduced,
distributed, or otherwise used without the prior written consent of the
copyright owner, except as permitted by applicable law or expressly
authorised by the creator.”

A less restrictive* Copyright Notice example
(with a Creative Commons licence):

© [Name of owner], [Year of creation/publication]

“This work is licensed under Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial (CC BY-NC) 4.0 international licence. It can be
distributed, adapted, and built upon the material in any medium or
format for non-commercial purposes only, and so long as proper
attribution is given to the creator.”