Guide
What goes on a copyright page? Examples and templates
Short answer
A copyright page carries the copyright notice: the © symbol or the word Copyright, the year of first publication and the owner's name. Most books add a rights statement, a disclaimer, an ISBN for each format, the edition and credits. In the US the notice has been optional since March 1, 1989, but it still helps.
This guide describes common practice for self-published books and quotes the US Copyright Office. It is not legal advice.
What must a copyright notice include?
US copyright law (17 U.S.C. 401(b)) lists three parts:
- The symbol ©, or the word "Copyright" or the abbreviation "Copr.".
- The year of first publication.
- The name of the copyright owner.
Copyright © 2026 Avery Hart
Most books follow the notice with "All rights reserved."
Is a copyright notice required?
Not for works first published on or after March 1, 1989. Your book is protected without it. But the notice still matters: under 17 U.S.C. 401(d), it defeats an innocent infringement defense, so someone who copies your book cannot claim they did not know it was protected.
What else goes on a copyright page?
- A rights statement: no copying without permission, except brief quotes in reviews.
- A disclaimer that fits the book: fiction, nonfiction advice or memoir.
- An AI training statement, if you want to reserve that use.
- Credits: cover design, cover image, editor, interior design.
- ISBNs, one for each format. Each format needs its own ISBN, and a new edition with significant changes needs a new one.
- A Library of Congress Control Number, if you have one.
- Publisher and edition: the imprint, its city and website, and the edition and year.
- A printer's key (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1), which some publishers use to show the printing.
What does a fiction copyright page look like?
A novel published with a free KDP ISBN. The imprint KDP shows for a free ISBN is "Independently published", so there is no publisher line.
The Keeper of Gull Rock
Copyright © 2026 Avery Hart
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval, without written permission from the author, except for brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or places is coincidental.
What does a nonfiction copyright page look like?
A how-to book from a small press, with its own ISBNs for paperback and ebook, a permissions contact and an AI training statement.
Small Garden, Big Harvest: Grow More Food in Less Space
Copyright © 2026 Jordan Ellis
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations in a book review. For permission requests, contact permissions@fieldnotepress.example.
No part of this book may be used to train artificial intelligence or machine learning systems without written permission from the publisher.
This book is for general information only. It is not a substitute for professional advice. The author and publisher make no guarantees about results and are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this information.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
What does a memoir copyright page look like?
A memoir in its second edition. The earlier year stays in the notice, and the disclaimer says names were changed.
Salt in the Wind: A Life on the Water
Copyright © 2023, 2026 Robin Marsh
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval, without written permission from the author, except for brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of nonfiction based on the author’s memories. Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of the people involved, and some conversations have been reconstructed.
Names, titles and ISBNs in these examples are made up. Make your own page, as text or a Word file sized to your trim, with the copyright page generator.
Where does the copyright page go?
On the back of the title page, a left-hand page in the front matter. It is usually set smaller than the body text, and many books push it to the bottom of the page. Ebooks often move it to the end of the book so the story starts sooner.
Questions authors ask
Do I have to register my copyright to use the © symbol?
No. In the US, putting a copyright notice on your book does not need permission from, or registration with, the Copyright Office. Registration is a separate step with its own benefits.
Which year goes in the copyright notice?
The year the book was first published. A revised edition keeps the earlier year and adds the new one, as in the memoir example above: "Copyright © 2023, 2026".
Can I write "Copyright" instead of the © symbol?
Yes. 17 U.S.C. 401(b): the symbol ©, the word "Copyright" or "Copr.", the year of first publication and the name of the owner.
Should the copyright page list every ISBN?
It is common to list each format's ISBN with the format in brackets. Each format needs its own ISBN, so readers and bookstores can tell the editions apart.
Where does the copyright page go in a book?
On the back of the title page, which is a left-hand page. Many self-published books place the text at the bottom of that page in a smaller size than the body text.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide explains common practice and quotes the US Copyright Office. For questions about your rights, permissions or a dispute, talk to a lawyer.
Sources
Every number in this guide comes from our spec data, last verified against the official help pages below. Retailers change their terms, so check the source before you rely on a figure.
US Copyright Office
KDP
- KDP Help: What is an ISBN and Imprint? kdp.amazon.com