Copyright Notice and Marking Services
Protecting Your Work with Professional Copyright Page Design & Legal Precision
At Masterly Publishing, we understand that creating a book is an extraordinary accomplishment—and that protecting your intellectual property is essential. Our Copyright Notice and Marking services help you develop a comprehensive copyright strategy that aligns with legal standards, publishing best practices, and your long-term goals as an author or publishing company.
Whether you're a self-publisher, an author working under a pen name, or launching your own publishing company, our service ensures your book includes the correct copyright page, disclaimer, and placement instructions across print, digital, and photo books.
What Is a Copyright Notice?
A copyright notice is more than just a formality—it's a critical legal statement placed inside your book that indicates you are the copyright owner and the work is automatically protected under American copyright law once it exists in a tangible form. It usually appears on the copyright page, which is found right after the title page in most books.
A standard book copyright notice includes:
- The copyright symbol ©
- The year of publication
- The name of the copyright owner
- A rights reserved notice (e.g., "All rights reserved.")
- Optional: ISBN, edition information, printing details, publisher information, Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN), and Cataloging in Publication (CIP) data
A well-written copyright statement also includes permissions notices to address uses like brief quotations, book reviews, or content reuse with prior written permission.
Why a Copyright Notice Matters
Including a copyright notice serves several key purposes—especially in today’s digital-first, fast-publishing world.
Legal Protection
Even though your book is automatically protected under the Copyright Act upon creation, a clear notice strengthens your ability to take legal action if someone copies or republishes your material without consent.
Deterrence Against Infringement
A visible copyright notice for books signals to interested parties, readers, and competitors that this work is protected and cannot be reused “in any form whatsoever,” “by any manner whatsoever,” or stored in any retrieval system—including use in computer software—without express written permission.
Professionalism and Clarity
A correctly formatted copyright page template reinforces your authority as a legitimate author or publisher and gives your readers confidence in your work.
What Our Service Includes
Our Copyright Notice and Marking service is designed for self-published authors, indie publishers, and those looking to publish traditionally. We work with you to create a custom copyright page that meets industry standards and reflects your publishing format.
Tailored Copyright Page Design
We guide you through customizing a book copyright page that may include:
- Copyright notice and legal disclaimer
- Library of Congress Control Number or instructions to apply for one
- Cataloging in Publication Data (CIP) guidance
- A permissions notice for images, excerpts, and actual persons or events
- Edition information (e.g., First Edition, Paperback Edition)
- Publisher contact details or web address
- Proper wording for public domain elements (if applicable)
Formatting Across All Publishing Types
We offer direction on where to place the copyright page and how to format it for:
- Print editions (hardcover, paperback edition)
- Electronic books (Kindle, EPUB, PDF)
- Photo books and design-heavy content
- Comic books or illustrated novels
Additional Legal Wording & Disclaimers
If your book includes real-life content or is inspired by actual persons, events, or fictitious characters, we help you include proper disclaimers such as:
“This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.”
We also assist with language related to express written permission, permission requests, and use limitations.
Understanding Copyright Law for Your Self-Published Book
When publishing a self-published book, it’s crucial to understand your obligations and rights under American copyright law. While a copyright notice isn’t legally required, it provides powerful protection and professional legitimacy. Registering your work with the Copyright Office further strengthens your rights and enables you to pursue legal remedies in case of infringement. Your copyright owner's name or the name of the copyright holder should be clearly listed in the notice, along with a proper rights reserved statement. If your book includes characters or narratives derived from the author’s imagination, be sure to clarify that any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental or presented in a fictitious manner. This not only limits liability but also protects your creative intent. Including such a statement becomes even more important if your content is offered as a free download, where visibility of legal disclaimers is essential.
Bonus: Ideal for Self-Publishers
Whether you’re writing under your pen name, launching a publishing company, or using Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or another self-publishing platform, our service gives you:
- Clear copyright language
- Instructions for permissions coordinators
- Ready-to-copy phrasing for copyright disclaimer
- A polished layout that matches your cover and interior formatting
- Optional content for your author website and digital storefront
Why Choose Masterly Publishing?
At Masterly Publishing, we take a holistic approach to publishing. That includes protecting your creative content from misuse while ensuring you’re seen as a credible, professional author.
We provide:
-
Professional support tailored to self-published and traditionally published books
-
Real publishing experience and legal insight into copyright protection
-
A personalized approach to create your own copyright notice
-
Guidance for authors of fiction, non-fiction, photo books, educational texts, and more
Our clients trust us because we offer practical, legal, and creative support from draft to shelf.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does a book need a copyright notice to be protected?
Legally, no. But without one, you weaken your ability to claim damages or defend your rights. A notice helps you legally protect your work.
Where should I place the copyright notice?
Just after the title page, before any dedications or table of contents. We’ll help you design your book’s copyright page to meet both professional and legal standards.
What’s a Library of Congress Control Number?
The LCCN helps catalog your book in libraries. If you want your book available to libraries, we'll help you apply for this number and correctly list the control number on your copyright page.
What if I plan to sell internationally?
We’ll guide you on international standard book number (ISBN) formatting and any notices needed for international protection.
Contact Us Today to Protect Your Book
Are you ready to publish with confidence? Let Masterly Publishing help you create a polished and legally sound copyright notice for your book.
Whether you’re looking to include a copyright page, obtain a Library of Congress Control Number, or add a permissions notice, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Protect your book. Protect your rights. Publish professionally.