what does copyright 2007 etc mean

hello

 

i have seen different words that convey copyright

 

some of them are

 

© 2007 "xyz photographer"

 

© 2006 "xyz photographer"

 

 

what does the year here excatly mean ?

 

how different is it if you say

 

© "xyz photographer"

 

 

please can someone explain this to me

For me, it's the year the photo was shot. I believe that's the standard format for a copyright notice.

'tis the year the copyright is registered or claimed.

<a href="http://www.copyright.gov/">The US copyright office</a> has an excellent FAQ. It says:<br><blockquote>Form of Notice for Visually Perceptible Copies<p>

 

The notice for visually perceptible copies should contain all the following three elements:<p>

 

1. The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word ?Copyright,? or the abbreviation ?Copr.?; and<p>

 

2. The year of first publication of the work. In the case of compilations or derivative works incorporating previously published material, the year date of first publication of the compilation or derivative work is sufficient. The year date may be omitted where a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work, with accompanying textual matter, if any, is reproduced in or on greeting cards, postcards, stationery, jewelry, dolls, toys, or any useful article; and<p>

 

3. The name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized, or a generally known alternative designation of the owner.<p>

 

Example: ©2006 John Doe <p></blockquote><a href="mailto:henryp@bhphotovideo.com">Henry Posner</a><br>

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com"><b>B&H Photo-Video</b></a>

@ Henry: the OP seems to be in India, and intellectual property protections may be different there.

 

<Chas>

thank you everyone...

 

yes i am in india, but everyone seems to be writing the year with their name on it.

Leaving clues as to owns an image also allows folks to contact the owner. Thus the image might be then marketed in another arena; with pay; if the owner and new client agree on a deal.

The year is important because you have the copyright protection for a number of years only (demending on country) before the copyright expires and goes public domain. Usually this is life of author + 70 years in the US, but if the author is unknown the year of first publication is necessary to count the remaining copyright protection span.

P