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How to Display the Copyright Symbol: Proper Usage Guide

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Vineet Kumar

December 8, 2023

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How to Display the Copyright Symbol: Proper Usage Guide

The copyright symbol (©) is a universally recognised symbol that signifies the ownership and protection of creative works.

Properly displaying the copyright symbol is crucial for individuals in various creative fields, such as artists, writers, musicians, and content creators, as it helps to assert their rights and safeguard their intellectual property.

This article serves as a comprehensive guide on how to display the copyright symbol accurately and in compliance with copyright laws.

This article aims to provide information on various methods for inserting the copyright character on different platforms and devices, which can aid in ensuring proper attribution and protecting creative works.

Understanding the Copyright Symbol

The copyright symbol, represented by the © ‘C in a circle,’ is commonly used to indicate copyright protection for various types of creative works.

It applies to most forms of artistic expression.

On the other hand, the ℗ ‘P in a circle’ symbol represents sound recordings, phonorecords, phonograms, or phonographic copyright.

It specifically pertains to works in the domain of sound.

In addition to sound-related creations, the copyright sign is widely employed to indicate registered copyright in accordance with rules and regulations.

The circled C has become a universally recognised symbol for copyright, as acknowledged by copyright registration services.

Nowadays, the copyright symbol carries significant importance for all creative artists who have registered their works under copyright laws.

The copyright logo serves as an indicator that a particular work is legally protected and registered under the author’s name.

It signifies that no one can use the work without obtaining proper legal permission from the original author.

In India, copyright protection lasts for 60 years from the date of registration or the author’s lifetime, depending on the applicable rules of Indian Copyright registration.

Afterward, the rights may be transferred to another party as per the regulations.

Hence, copyright plays a vital role in safeguarding the legal rights of creative artists who seek to protect their original works.

What is a Copyright Notice?

A copyright notice is a statement or symbol that provides notice of copyright ownership and informs others about the copyright status of a creative work.

It typically consists of the copyright symbol (©), the word “Copyright” or its abbreviation “Copr.,” the year of first publication, and the name of the copyright owner.

The purpose of a copyright notice is to assert the owner’s rights, indicate the year of creation or publication, and serve as a reminder to the public that the work is protected by copyright law.

While the use of a copyright notice is not mandatory to secure copyright protection in many countries, including the United States, it is still recommended as it informs the public about the copyright status of a work and may help in preventing infringement.

The specific requirements for a copyright notice may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the type of work being protected.

How to Display the Copyright Symbol?

There are a few ways to display the copyright symbol. You can:

Copy and Paste

For efficient use of the copyright sign, it can be easily copied and pasted from this source: ©

Alternatively, you may also copy and paste the symbol from any other web page or text document where it is displayed.

Mac / macOS Keyboard Shortcut for Copyright Symbol

The keyboard shortcut for the copyright mark on Mac or macOS is Option + G.

To use this shortcut, simply hold down the Option key and press the G key. The symbol (©) will appear in your text.

While there are other methods involving the Character Viewer that may be more complex, using the keyboard shortcut is the easiest and most efficient way.

It’s a shortcut that is easy to remember and works seamlessly, even if you’re using an external Magic Keyboard with an iPad Pro.

Keyboard Shortcut for Copyright Symbol on Windows

To insert the mark (©) on a Windows computer, you can use the keyboard shortcut ALT+0169.

Hold down the ALT key and type the sequence 0169 on the numeric keypad (if available) to produce the symbol (©).

Please note that not all Windows keyboards have a dedicated number row, especially on smaller laptops.

In such cases, you can enable the Num Lock feature by pressing FN+NumLk.

Once enabled, hold down the ALT key and type 0169 on the numeric keypad.

Keep in mind that there may be variations depending on your specific keyboard.

Some keyboards may require holding down both the Fn and Alt keys, or you might have a designated NumLK key.

If a keyboard doesn’t have a numeric keypad, the Character Map tool can be used to type the copyright symbol.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Character Map tool by searching for it in the Start menu.
  2. In the Character Map tool, scroll down to the symbol (©).
  3. Click on this mark to select it.
  4. Click the Copy button.
  5. Switch to the document where you want to type the copyright symbol.
  6. Click on the document where you want to insert this symbol.
  7. Press Ctrl+V to paste this symbol.

In Word

Using the Insert Symbol dialog box: In Word, you can insert the copyright symbol by opening the Insert Symbol dialog box. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Insert tab.
  2. In the Symbols group, click Symbol.
  3. In the Symbol dialog box, select the symbol (©) from the list of symbols.
  4. Click Insert.

HTML

There are a few different ways to encode the copyright symbol in HTML code.

The simplest and most commonly used method is to use the entity reference: ©.

There are alternative options available, and for Windows users familiar with the ALT0169 shortcut, the © option may be more convenient.

Copyright sign HTML code

SignName codeDecimal codeHex codeDescription
©©©©copyright symbol
 ⒸⒸC inside circle

 

Other Encodings for the Copyright Symbol

To ensure completeness, there exist alternative methods to indicate the mark (©), depending on the situation.

The following are some of the frequently utilised ones:

Data Type
Blog Middle Component Image

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Code
UTF-8 (hex)0xC2 0xA9 (c2a9)
UTF-8 (binary)11000010:10101001
UTF-16 (hex)0x00A9 (00a9)
UTF-16 (decimal)169
UTF-32 (hex)0x000000A9 (a9)
UTF-32 (decimal)169
C/C++/Java source code"\u00A9"
Python source codeu"\u00A9"
Emoji:copyright:
Font Awesome 4/5fa-copyright

How to Use the Copyright Symbol?

Understanding how to use the symbol (©) effectively involves considering the guidelines provided by the Copyright Office.

Different rules apply to “visually perceptible copies” (such as books or sculptures) compared to “phonorecords” (like CDs or MP3 files).

For visually perceptible copies, it is generally recommended to include three elements together or in close proximity:

  1. The copyright symbol © (letter C in a circle), the word “Copyright,” or the abbreviation “Copr.”
  2. The year of first publication.
  3. The name of the copyright owner.

When it comes to sound recordings, the same three elements apply.

The copyright symbol for sound recordings is the phonogram symbol, which is a capital P in a circle (℗).

While these rules may appear straightforward, some individuals may still wonder about the correct usage of the copyright character.

Major companies provide examples of how they utilise the copyright mark in their website copyright notices, although the style can vary between organisations and individuals.

Conclusion

Understanding how to display the copyright symbol and incorporate it appropriately is essential for any copyright holder.

Utilising the special character, the copyright symbol, ensures that others are aware of the protected status of creative works.

By adhering to copyright laws and including proper copyright notices, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to respecting intellectual property rights.

Moreover, displaying copyright warnings serves as a proactive measure to discourage potential copyright infringement and promote compliance with copyright law principles.

The copyright mark acts as a visible reminder that permission from the rights holder is required to use the protected material.

By familiarising ourselves with the proper usage of the copyright mark and obtaining necessary copyright permission, we contribute to a culture that values and respects the creative efforts of others.

Ultimately, it is crucial to navigating the complex landscape of copyright law, recognising the importance of protecting original works and upholding the rights of copyright holders.

FAQs 

What is the purpose of using the copyright symbol?

The copyright symbol is used to provide notice of ownership and inform others that creative work is protected.

How do I display the copyright symbol?

You can display the symbol by using the special character “©” in text, HTML code “©”, or the keyboard shortcut “Alt+0169” (Windows) or “Option+G” (Mac).

Is it necessary to use the copyright symbol?

While not mandatory in many jurisdictions, using the symbol © is recommended as it strengthens your copyright claim and informs the public about the protected status of your work.

What should be included in a copyright notice?

A common copyright notice consists of the copyright symbol, the year of first publication, and the name of the rights holder.

Are there different symbols for sound recordings?

Yes, sound recordings are represented by the symbol “℗” (the letter P in a circle) instead of the copyright symbol.

Can I use clickable copyright notices on my website?

Yes, clickable copyright notices can be placed on websites to provide easy access to copyright information and reinforce your rights as a content creator.

How can displaying copyright warnings help prevent infringement?

Including comprehensive copyright warnings serves as a proactive measure to discourage potential copyright infringement and promote compliance with copyright law principles.

Do I need copyright permission to use copyrighted material?

Yes, in most cases, you need to obtain permission from the copyright owners to use copyrighted material. Displaying the copyright symbol serves as a reminder of this requirement.

Can displaying the copyright symbol guarantee complete protection?

While displaying the copyright symbol provides notice of copyright ownership, it does not guarantee absolute protection.

It is still advisable to register your copyright and take appropriate legal measures to safeguard your rights.

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