What to Include on a Book Copyright Page

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Did you think writing the content of your book was all you had to do? There’s a little but more work to do before you have your published book in your hands!

One of the first things you’ll need to do after writing the main content of your book is writing the front matter and back matter. There are several things that go into these sections of a book, but in this post, I’m going to cover the copyright page.

If your book is going to be traditionally published, you probably don’t need to worry about putting together your copyright page as your publisher will likely do that for you.

When you’re self-publishing, though, all this legal mumbo-jumbo can feel overwhelming. However, as outlined below, there are really only a few things that need to be included on the copyright page.

Table of Contents

What Should Be on the Copyright Page of a Book?

The copyright page of a book typically includes important legal and bibliographic information. Here are some of the elements that are commonly included on a copyright page:

Copyright Notice

Statement of Rights Reserved

The statement of rights reserved typically includes the phrase “All rights reserved.” For example, “All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.”

ISBN

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique identifier assigned to books, which normally has thirteen digits. This number is important for tracking sales and inventory. You’ll use a unique ISBN for each format the book is published in.

Publisher Information

The publisher information includes the name of the publisher, the location of the publisher (city and country), and the publisher’s website.

Printing Information

The printing information includes the edition number (e.g., first edition), the date of printing, and the number of printings.

Credits and Acknowledgments

You can include any credits or acknowledgments for contributors, such as editors, designers, illustrators, or photographers.

Library of Congress Cataloging Information

If applicable, you can include the book’s Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN), which is a unique identifier assigned by the Library of Congress for cataloging purposes.

Trademark Notices

If the book includes trademarks, this includes any notices required to comply with trademark law.

Legal Notices

You can include any legal disclaimers or warnings, such as a disclaimer of liability for errors or omissions, a warning against unauthorized copying or distribution, or a notice of permissions.

Permissions

If the book includes any material that requires permission for use (such as quotations, song lyrics, or images), this includes information about the source of the material and any permissions obtained.

Disclaimer

A disclaimer statement protects the author or publisher from legal claims made by readers who might find the book objectionable, offensive, or harmful. This statement explains that the views and opinions expressed in the book are the author’s own and not necessarily those of the publisher. Some authors use a disclaimer to state that readers should consult a professional (e.g., doctor, lawyer) for individual advice.

Keep in mind that the specific content and format of a copyright page may vary depending on the book’s genre, publisher, and other factors. For more information, check out sections 1.20 to 1.35 in The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, and section 1.2.6 and chapter 20 of New Hart’s Rules as well as the further resources listed below.

What Should Be Included on an E-book Copyright Page?

An e-book copyright page is similar to that of paper books. One additional item, according to The Copyeditor’s Handbook, is that it may be appropriate to add a “last modified” date if the content has been updated.

Is the Copyright Page the Same in the UK?

A copyright page for books published in the UK has most of the same elements; however, there is one extra section: the assertion of moral rights. According to New Hart’s Rules, “under the UK’s Copyright Act 1988, certain ‘moral rights’ in the work are enjoyed by its creator.” By this they mean the right to be identified as the author of the work. This right does not exist unless the author has explicitly asserted it, and they can do this by including the following wording: The author’s moral rights have been asserted.

Where Does the Copyright Page Go?

The copyright page goes on page iv of the book, on the backside of the title page in the front matter, and it will be a left (verso) page. The page number does not need to be printed on the page.

Do I Have to Have a Copyright Page?

According to The Chicago Manual of Style, “the Copyright Act of 1989 does not require that published works carry a copyright notice in order to secure copyright protection; nevertheless, most publishers continue to carry the notice to discourage infringement.”

The Chicago Manual of Style also mentions that “self-published authors are encouraged to include, at a minimum, a copyright statement and a list of any assigned ISBNs, together with any other information that applies.”

As a self-publisher, you won’t be working with a traditional publisher, so you won’t have a publisher’s name and address to add to the copyright page. In this case, you are the publisher. However, for your safety, it’s not a good idea to include your home address on your copyright page. You can include your email address instead or a PO Box number.

How Does a Copyright Page Protect My Content?

The copyright page of a book is a legal statement that identifies the owner of the copyright, the year of publication, and the rights reserved. It serves as evidence that the book is protected by copyright law and that the author or publisher holds the exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display the work.

The inclusion of a copyright notice on the copyright page provides notice to the public that the work is protected by copyright and serves as a deterrent to potential infringers. It also establishes a legal framework for pursuing legal action against anyone who uses the work without permission.

In the United States, copyright protection is automatic and begins as soon as a work is created and fixed in a tangible form, such as a manuscript or computer file. However, registering the copyright with the US Copyright Office and including a copyright notice on the copyright page can provide additional legal benefits, such as the ability to seek statutory damages and attorney’s fees in the event of infringement.

Copyright Resources

I hope you’ve found this breakdown of the components of a copyright page helpful. If you would like to learn about copyright in more detail, check out the resources below.

Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook by Helen Sedwick: A fairly approachable book, in addition to copyright, privacy, and libel issues, it covers setting up a business, understanding contracts, working with various types of self-publishing services, understanding taxes, and more.
Copyright and Permissions by Elsa Peterson (Editorial Freelancers Association booklet): This is a quick read that focuses on copyright. If you want to deal with permissions yourself, it includes guidance, as well as sample letters.
“Libel, and Privacy, and Copyright, Oh My!” by Emily Buehler Editorial: https://emilyeditorial.com/copyright-and-privacy-and-libel-oh-my/.

If you’re looking for help with your book, check out my editorial services or read some of the kind words authors have said about working with me.