Whether you had one for 2011 or not, now is the perfect time to create a 2012 copyright preset, that will add your copyright information to your photos’ metadata automatically when you import them.
In the Import dialog, in the Apply During Import panel on the right, click on the drop down next to Metadata, and choose New…
Type a name for the preset at the top, scroll down to the IPTC Copyright section and fill it out. To create the © symbol, use Option-G on the Mac, and if you have a numeric keypad on your keyboard on the PC, Alt-0-1-6-9. (If not, copy and paste the symbol from this article.) The Copyright Info URL field is used to provide a link to somewhere on your website where you have posted specific rights usage terms for your photos — which most of us have not done.
In the IPTC Creator section, add your name in the Creator field, and add as much contact information as you wish. Make sure that it is sufficient that someone can successfully contact you if they come across your photo.
When you are done, click Create. This preset will now show in the Apply During Import dialog as the default, and this information will be applied automatically as you import new photos. (Cancel out of the Import dialog if you are not importing photos at this time.)
Note that the copyright information will not show up on your photos — it will tag along with your photos as data about your photos (metadata). To see this data, in the Library module, select one photo, and in the Metadata panel on the right at the bottom, change the view to IPTC. Creator information will show towards the top, and Copyright information towards the bottom (scroll down).
May you have many wonderful photos to copyright in 2012!
[sc:signup]
[…] on two of my favourite Lightroom blogs, talking about getting Lightroom ready for the new year and updating your copyright metadata, but tell me, what are YOUR plans for Lightroom for […]
[…] on two of my favourite Lightroom blogs, talking about getting Lightroom ready for the new year and updating your copyright metadata, but tell me, what are YOUR plans for Lightroom for […]
Thank you Laura. I just need reminding of this – and how to do it – every year.
You’re welcome, Julie!
Thanks, Laura. How obvious to do a new 2012 copyright, but if you hadn’t reminded me I’d be using my 2011 copyright for the next 10 years. Have a great 2012!
Meryl
Thanks Laura. I’m new to this and wasn’t sure what was important, what to enter and what to leave blank. This was very helpful. Thanks!
Rob
could someone tell me why you need to add this metadata? does it stop people from selling your image etc? I’m new to this and would love advice from real people so I can see how it’s used in real life!
Hi beck, no it doesn’t stop anyone from misusing your images. However, it is documentation informing people that you own the copyright, and giving them information on how to get in touch with you, should they wish to use the images. You own the copyright either way, but in my opinion it is a good idea to have this documentation out there. (Of course I say all this with the disqualifier that I am not an attorney, and you should seek qualified legal advice.)
Thank you I just got a new mac and wanted to know how to get the copyright symbol :)
Option-G on a mac and you’ll get the sign
Thank you for this information … Took Light Room class this fall, but moved and just getting around to setting up studio and new computer. Very simple and easy to follow. Tnx for that!
You’re welcome, Barbara!
So, why do you even need to “Date” the copyright… I guess I’m just not sure on how copyrights work with digital prints. Can anyone fill me in, i’d appreciate it.
Hi Eric, the last time I checked, the U.S. Copyright Office instructed that copyright notification should be in the form of (c) year name. You can read more at http://www.copright.gov.
Hi Laura, I’ve had Lightroom for a few months now, love it and have done this copyright (for 2013!) I notice since using Lightroom that my blog photos no longer have the alt text showing during a mouse over. Would you mind telling me what I need to change to rectify this please? Thank you :)
Hi Sue, I’m not sure on this one. Any chance in the Export dialog you chose to not export the metadata?
Hi Laura,
Love your videos and tips! I just got Lightroom 5 and I have a question. I see most of the info I list in the Metadata Copyright Preset via Preview on my Mac. But for some reason it won’t list my contact info. Under “Creator’s Contact info” it only list a { symbol. It did the same thing in Lightroom 4. I followed your instructions and did the preset over a few times and I always get the same result. It it a glitch?
You have me stumped on this one, E. I would post on lightroomforums.net or the Adobe Lightroom forum.
Hi Laura,
I came across the answer surfing the web last night. I uploaded one of my photos to a Metadata Reader and my Contact Info did indeed show. The contact info just doesn’t show up on the Mac Preview application. FYI..
Thanks
Gidday Laura,
I’ve been following the same process for copyrighting my images within lightroom. What I’m unsure about is whether the date for the copyright relates to the in camera creation date or, in the case of someone like me who runs a photography blog, the publication date.
For example I’m usually able to process my files the day I make the original RAW exposures. Let’s say that was 2012. I apply the 2012 preset prior to importing the file.
As part of my workflow for publishing images I usually use one or more other applications, such as photoshop, and end up with a .tif file. Let’s say the final processing of that new .tif file and the publishing of it on my blog (or eBook) doesn’t occur until 2013. Should that new .tif file be exported from lightroom with a 2013 copyright metadata tag attached?
Kindest Regards,
Glenn
Hi Glenn, to be absolutely sure on what is correct, I would check the Copyright Office’s website. My hunch though (and only that, so talk to your own attorney!) is that whether you put the correct year in the metadata for your file wouldn’t put your copyright claim in jeopardy. The most important step you can take to ensure that you could enforce a copyright claim is to file your photos (or finished works) with the Copyright Office.
Thanks so much Laura.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for all your effort in making us understand this awesome software..
Well, I’m Kinda new to this kind of softwares and for now I am trying to make my copyright text appear on the photo is there anyway to do that?
Hope you’d be able to help me in that
Thank you
Best regards
Thanks for sharing this – was particularly useful for adding copyright information.
Was going to add a copyright watermark but have decided against it.
Best wishes,
Euan
Happy New Year, Laura!
Thanks for the reminder about updating for 2015! When I make my new copyright in the Apply During Import box, for some reason, when I close and then reopen Lightroom the new copyright is not the default. The ‘old’ copyright is. Is there some kind of save I need to do?
Thanks and I hope your new year is full of many blessings and wonderful advancement!
Sue
Is there a way to add a metadata “smart-tag” or something to the copyright text in your watermark preset so it picks up the year from the copyright metadata? That way I don’t have to edit the watermark called out in the publish collection settings whenever I want to post an old photography from years ago. It would just know to apply the correct year.
Something like this for example:
(c) John Doe Photography
You could use the Simple Watermark option, Rob. (It’s in the watermark drop down). This will pull from the Copyright field in your photo’s metadata. However, this option doesn’t allow for any formatting – the watermark will go in the bottom left of your photo, at a fixed size.