Copyright Symbol as HTML
When coding HTML, you should use the following code to write the copyright icon. Use the button to copy the code-snippet to your clipboard.
Write the copyright mark on your keyboard
Most operating systems have a key combination to write the symbol. Here you see how to type the copyright symbol on MAC, Windows and LINUX.
| MAC | ⌥ option+g |
|---|---|
| Windows | Alt+0169 |
| LINUX | composeOC |
Alt code for the Copyright Symbol
The ALT code for the Copyright Symbol is 0169.
Use the ALT-code to write the symbol in Windows with the following combination
It is important that you have Num Lock enabled when using this shortcut.
If you are wondering what ALT-codes are, then look further down for an explanation.
© What is the Copyrigt Icon?
The copyright symbol is a circle with a smaller c inside.
The icon is used to signal copyright for all works other than sound recordings. How to use the copyright symbol, and the meaning of it, is described in the Universal Copyright Convention. Even though the copyright mark is recognized in most countries, it is no longer required to claim copyright. Looking at most websites you will find the copyright symbol in most footers(also see our guide to copyright footers), it is not required. But there are some other benefits of using a copyright notice, which we explain in the next section.
Copyright in itself is a form of protection in US law that grants authors, artists, and creators exclusive rights to their original work. This includes the right to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and create derivative works. It is a way for creators to safeguard their intellectual property from unauthorized use. The copyright icon is therefore a visual representation of this protection, a signal to all that the work is legally protected and cannot be used without proper permission.
Since 1989, due to changes in the Berne Convention Implementation Act, using the copyright symbol is no longer necessary to claim copyright in the US. However, including it can have additional benefits. A clear copyright notice makes a public statement about the rights of the creator, deterring potential infringement. It also allows a creator to seek statutory damages and attorney’s fees in successful infringement litigation.
Furthermore, it provides a point of reference for those wishing to obtain rights to use the work. In the case of an online environment, a visitor who wishes to use any content can refer to the copyright symbol in the website’s footer for information about whom to contact or how to acquire necessary permissions. In this way, the copyright symbol can serve a dual purpose: it deters infringement while also facilitating legal usage.
Also, remember that copyright protection is inherent. The moment you create an original work and it is put in a tangible medium – be it written on paper, saved on a computer, or painted on a canvas – it is automatically protected by copyright law. The copyright symbol simply reaffirms this inherent protection.
Despite its benefits, the copyright symbol should not be viewed as an absolute shield against copyright infringement. It is an indicator and deterrent, but enforcement ultimately depends on the vigilance of the copyright holder. It is vital for creators to understand their rights and responsibilities under copyright law and to actively monitor and enforce their copyrights when necessary.
So, while the copyright icon might seem like a small and sometimes overlooked detail, its use, implications, and the protection it represents are profound. It serves as a critical reminder of the importance of intellectual property rights in our increasingly digital and interconnected world.
The history of the Copyright Symbol
The history of the copyright symbol dates back to the 20th century and is intertwined with the evolution of copyright laws. Its first formal introduction came with the Universal Copyright Convention (UCC) in 1952, a response to the American requirement that non-U.S. works must carry a copyright notice to be protected under U.S. law.
Before this, copyright law in the United States required printed works to bear a copyright notice—usually a simple “Copyright,” “Copr.,” or “C.”—followed by the year of publication and the copyright owner’s name. If the notice was omitted, copyright protection could be lost. This was a point of contention in international copyright negotiations because many other countries did not have such formalistic requirements.
To address this discrepancy and encourage global participation in the copyright system, the UCC introduced the © symbol as an alternative to the lengthy “Copyright” or “Copr.” This made it easier for creators to include a notice and protected their works from unintended forfeiture of copyright.
Changes in the law in the late 20th century, particularly the Berne Convention Implementation Act of 1988 in the U.S., rendered the use of the symbol optional for copyright protection. But the symbol persists as a widely recognized emblem of copyright assertion to this day.
What is an Alt code?
An Alt code is a keyboard shortcut that allows you to type special characters not readily available on a standard keyboard. These codes are called “Alt codes” because they require the user to hold down the “Alt” (short for “Alternate”) key on the keyboard while typing a specific sequence of numbers.
The concept of Alt codes originated with IBM, which implemented it in their PC-compatible hardware. This was necessary because, at the time, computer keyboards had a limited number of keys, and there were more characters that users might want to type than there were keys on the keyboard.
Alt codes are especially useful for typing non-English characters, mathematical symbols, and special punctuation. For example, if you need to type the copyright symbol (©), you can hold down the Alt key and then type “0169” on your numeric keypad (with Num Lock enabled). When you release the Alt key, the copyright symbol appears.
It’s important to note that the use of Alt codes is primarily limited to Windows operating systems. Other systems, like MacOS, have their own methods for typing special characters. Alt codes also usually require a full keyboard with a separate numeric keypad, as they often do not work with the row of numbers above the letters.