To copyright your photos in the United States you need to submit an application and deposit copies of your work with the Copyright Office. Include the necessary deposit copies, title, and filing fee with your application. The Copyright Office reviews your application to verify all legal requirements have been met before issuing a certificate.
The cost to register a single work online is $35. The processing time for electronic copyright filing is usually up to 8 months.
- Load in Photoshop the photo you want to publish on the Internet.
- Select the Horizontal Type Tool from the toolbar.
- Left-click and mark a rectangular area for the future text.
- Enter text – for example, your website address or your name.
- Click on the Toggle the Character and Paragraph panels button on the top panel.
- Edit the appearance of your lettering – select it and set the desired font, font size, and color.
In order to protect your copyright, place a watermark on your photos before publication. If you get photos snapped by a professional photographer, it’s key for you to secure copyright from the photographer.
Use The Right Format
- The symbol © , the word “Copyright” or the abbreviation “Copr.”
- The year of first publication followed by a hyphen and the year of last publication.
How to Make Photos Copyright Free
- Compress or resize photos before sharing them online.
- Never share full resolution files, as this makes stealing easier.
If your copyright is infringed, you can send a takedown notice or cease and desist letter. However, registering your copyright beforehand will allow you to sue for damages.