What is a Book Copyright Page?

• Jun 02, 2021
• 5 min read

What is a book copyright page?

A book’s copyright page is very important, especially if you want to protect your writing from plagiarism. 

The copyright page is most commonly found on the back of the book’s title page. 

What does a book copyright page include?

It should include the following:

• Copyright notice
• ISBN
• Rights and permissions
• Disclaimer
• Edition information
• Design, production, editing, illustration credits
• Publisher’s address
• Ordering information
• Trademark notices
• Author website
• Country in which the book was printed
• Environmental notices

• A copyright notice and year

The copyright symbol (“©”) should go next to the copyright owner’s name. It should look like, “© 2021 by Iris Scott,” or can be spelled out “Copyright © 2021 Iris Scott.” 

Important tips:

1. The copyright owner is the author of the book, not the publisher nor the printer. If any publishing company requires that they be the copyright holder, don’t publish with them. 
2. If you use a pen name, you can put that on the copyright page instead of your real name. 

iii. Your copyright will last for the duration of your lifetime plus an additional 70 years.

The copyright year is the year you receive your copyright. If the book is reprinted into new editions, the copyright will list all of the edition years, starting with the latest. 

The copyright year is the year your book is published, not written. 

• Rights reserved notice

This states that the copyright holder, who is the author, reserves all rights to reproduce the book or portions of the book. 

It can be simply stated as, “All rights reserved,” or you can expand upon it. 

• All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. 
• All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher.  

• ISBN

An ISBN is an International Standard Book Number, which is necessary if you plan to sell your book. The number always comprises 13 digits, and the numbers correspond with regional codes, particular publishers, editions, etc. 

The ISBN is merely an identifier for your book; it has no legal weight. There is a different ISBN for each format of your book, for example, paperback and hardcover. 

• Disclaimer

The disclaimer feature is normally used in fiction books and is included to protect you from potential lawsuits if your characters or plot lines resemble real people or events. 

It acknowledges that some characters may resemble real people, yet it affirms that this is a work of your imagination.

• Permissions notice

If you include excerpts from any other work (another book, artwork, articles, etc.) you will need to give credit on the copyright page.

• Country of printer/printing edition

The page also includes where the book was printed and what edition it is (first or second or third, etc.). 

• Publisher information

Publisher information (such as the name and address) should be included in the copyright page.

• Where does a book copyright page go in a book?
• How can I get a copyright for a self-published book?
• Do I need a copyright page in a KDP book

• Edition Information

Even if it’s on your title page, the edition information should appear on the book copyright page. This doesn’t need to be an elaborate paragraph, just a simple line of text that states which edition is this. 

• Design, production, editing, and illustration details

The acknowledgements section usually has a list of people who helped your book be what it is, but it’s okay to list them here as well. 

• Author website

Include the author website on the page, especially if you’re self-publishing. 

• Ordering information

If your book is published by a big publisher, then the ordering information such as quantity sales, textbooks, orders by trade bookstores or wholesalers should be included on this page. 

• Trademark and environmental notices

Trademark notice information should be on the book copyright page, which includes names and logos of the publishing company. The copyright page can also include statements which verify its environmental consciousness of the book.

Found this article helpful?

0

0

Rishi

Rishi was a zealous student at IIT Bombay when he realized, firsthand, the power of good language in effective communication. As part of this belief, after a brief stint in a hedge fund, he co-founded PaperTrue in 2014.