What does each symbol mean?
© (copyright) tells readers that a work is protected and who owns it. In Australia, the notice is not required: an original work is protected automatically as soon as it is written down or otherwise put in material form. It is still a useful warning against copying.
™ (trade mark) shows that you use a word, logo or slogan as your brand, registered or not. On its own, it gives you no exclusive right.
® (registered) is only for trade marks registered with IP Australia for the goods or services covered. Falsely representing a trade mark as registered is an offence under the Trade Marks Act 1995.
℗ identifies the rights of the maker of a sound recording, separate from the rights in the music and lyrics.
How to type the copyright symbol ©
- Windows: hold Alt and type 0169 on the numeric keypad.
- Mac: Option + G.
- Microsoft Word: type (c) and AutoCorrect turns it into ©.
- HTML: © or ©.
- Phone: copy the symbol from the table on this page.
Where to put your copyright notice
On a website, in the footer so it shows on every page. In a document, on the first or last page. On a photo, in its metadata or as a discreet watermark. Use the year of first publication; for a site you keep updating, a range such as 2019–2026 is common.
A notice warns, evidence protects
The © symbol warns others, but it does not prove that you are the author or since when. If your work is copied, being able to prove its date matters: that is what a dated copyright registration gives you.