Copyright Symbol - US Copyright Notice

US Copyright Notice

In the United States, the copyright notice consists of:

• the © symbol, or the word "Copyright" or abbreviation "Copr.";
• the year of first publication of the copyrighted work; and
• an identification of the owner of the copyright, either by name, abbreviation, or other designation by which it is generally known.

e.g.

© 2011 John Smith

The notice was once required in order to receive copyright protection in the United States, but in countries respecting the Berne convention this is no longer the case. The United States joined the Berne Convention in 1989.