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How-to GuidePhoto editing≈ 1 minute · no install

How to Copyright-Protect Images

Copyright exists the moment you take a photo, but a visible © name · year mark makes ownership unmistakable and discourages “I didn’t know” scraping. A dedicated copyright watermark stamps that notice for you. Here is how to put it to work.

The short version

Follow the steps below with the free Add Copyright Watermark tool — it runs entirely in your browser, needs no upload, account or watermark, and finishes in about a minute.

Step by step

1
Set your © line

Enter your name/brand; the tool formats a © {year} notice.

2
Choose placement

Corner for subtle assertion, tiled for public-gallery protection.

3
Apply to the set

Stamp a batch at once for a whole body of work.

4
Export

Full-resolution, © baked in.

Open the Add Copyright Watermark toolFree · unlimited · runs in your browser

Pro tips & common mistakes

  • A visible © plus a metadata rights note covers both eyes and scrapers.
  • Tiled marks survive cropping far better than a single corner stamp.
  • Keep originals unwatermarked; apply the mark only to shared copies.

Related guides

How to Add a Watermark to a PhotoHow-to guideHow to Watermark Many Photos at OnceHow-to guideHow to Add Text to a Photo Online (Free, No Design Skills)How-to guide

Frequently asked questions

Does a watermark register my copyright?
No — copyright is automatic; a watermark is evidence and a deterrent. For formal registration, consult your country’s office.
What should the mark say?
© Your Name Year — the standard, recognisable notice.
Can I batch it?
Yes — apply the © mark to many images at once via the bulk watermark tool.