How to Write a Copyright Page
Learn how to create a copyright page for your essay, research paper or document
If you're writing a document or booklet, or a term paper or dissertation for school, a copyright page is advisable and may even be required. As the author of the work, you automatically own copyright under the law, but a copyright page identifies you clearly as the owner of the intellectual property and warns potential thieves to think twice before using or duplicating it without permission.
Copyright information is usually found on a page of its own, directly after the title page. The text is usually centred and in the middle of the page or lower. On your first line, insert the copyright symbol (a lower-case "c" inside a circle) followed by your name and the year of publication, eg, Joe Bloggs, 2010. If you can't find the copyright symbol, just write "Copyright."
On the next line, add further explanation. The common phrase "All rights reserved" means the contents belong to you and only you. You might want to add something more, such as a warning that the material in your document should only be duplicated with your full permission in writing. Include your email address or other contact information if you'd like readers to contact you directly for permission to use your copyrighted material.
Your college or university may have its own rules and guidelines about how to set out a copyright page, but these simple steps cover the basics for most documents.
