Book Copyright Page Template and Examples

Readers rarely study the copyright page, but booksellers, librarians, rights buyers and the occasional infringer do. A clear, accurate copyright page tells them who owns the work, which edition they are holding, how to identify it, and what they may and may not do with it. For self-published authors, it also signals a professionally produced book.

This guide explains each element, gives adaptable templates and covers the differences between print and ebook versions. It is general information, not legal advice; for specific legal questions, consult a qualified professional in your country.

Where the Copyright Page Goes

In print books, the copyright page is the reverse (verso) of the title page, so it appears on the left-hand page immediately after the title page. In ebooks it usually follows the title page, though some authors move it to the back of the ebook so readers reach the story sooner in online previews. Check your retailer's guidelines, and see our guide to front matter and back matter for the full order.

What to Include

The Copyright Notice

The standard notice has three parts: the copyright symbol or the word "Copyright", the year of first publication, and the name of the copyright owner.

Copyright © 2026 Jane Mwangi

Use your legal name or a pen name as you prefer, but be consistent with your contracts and registrations. If you publish through your own company and the company owns the rights, use the company name. Under the Berne Convention, copyright protection generally arises automatically when a work is created in most countries, without a notice or registration, but a notice makes ownership clear. In some countries, such as the United States, formal registration brings additional legal benefits; see our copyright registration guide.

The Rights Statement

A rights statement tells readers that the work may not be reproduced without permission. A common version:

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or as otherwise permitted by law.

Some authors add a statement about the use of the text for training artificial intelligence models, reflecting their wishes about such use. Keep any wording clear and factual.

ISBNs, Editions and Printings

Each format of your book, such as paperback, hardcover and ebook, needs its own ISBN if you use ISBNs for that format. List each one with its format:

ISBN 978-0-000000-00-0 (paperback)
ISBN 978-0-000000-01-7 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-0-000000-02-4 (ebook)

The numbers above are placeholders. Use your own registered ISBNs, and see our ISBN guide for how they work. Many authors list all formats on every version; others list only the ISBN of the format in hand. Either approach is fine, as long as the format labels are correct.

Add edition information, such as "First edition, 2026", and update it when you publish a substantially revised edition. Traditional publishers often use a number line (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1), removing the lowest number with each new printing; self-published authors can use it or simply state the edition.

Disclaimers by Genre

Fiction

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Health, wellness and fitness

The information in this book is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional before making changes to your diet, exercise or treatment.

Business, finance and legal topics

This book provides general information and does not constitute financial, legal or professional advice. Readers should consult appropriate professionals regarding their individual circumstances.

Memoir

This is a work of nonfiction based on the author's recollections. Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals, and some events have been compressed.

Disclaimers do not replace accuracy or legal care. If your book discusses real people critically, takes legal or medical positions, or uses others' material extensively, take professional advice.

Credits, Permissions and Trademarks

• Credits: "Cover design by..." "Edited by..." "Interior illustrations by..." Credit stock photography if the license requires it.
• Permissions: if you quote copyrighted material beyond what the law allows without permission, list the permission granted, in the form the rights holder requests.
• Trademarks: some authors note that product names mentioned are trademarks of their owners.

AI Disclosures

Some retailers ask authors to disclose AI-generated content when publishing, and some authors choose to state on the copyright page how AI was or was not used, for example in cover art or translation. If you include a statement, make it accurate. See our guide to AI disclosure policies for authors.

Template: Fiction

Title of the Book
Copyright © 2026 Author Name

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

First edition, 2026
ISBN (paperback) ...
ISBN (ebook) ...

Cover design by Designer Name
Edited by Editor Name

Published by Imprint Name
www.authorwebsite.com

Template: Nonfiction

Title of the Book: Subtitle
Copyright © 2026 Author Name

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for brief quotations in reviews and as otherwise permitted by law.

The information in this book is provided for general purposes and does not constitute professional advice. The author and publisher disclaim liability for any loss arising from its use.

First edition, 2026
ISBN (hardcover) ...
ISBN (paperback) ...
ISBN (ebook) ...

Published by Imprint Name
For permissions and bulk orders, contact: rights@example.com

Library Cataloguing Data

Traditional publishers often print cataloguing-in-publication data supplied by a national library, which helps libraries classify and shelve the book. Programs and eligibility rules differ by country, and some national libraries do not provide this data to self-publishers, offering alternatives instead. If library sales matter to you, check what your national library offers. Many self-published books simply omit this block, which is acceptable.

Formatting Tips

• Use a smaller font size than the body text, often a point or two smaller, but keep it readable.
• Align text left or center consistently, and place it towards the bottom of the page in print, which is a common convention.
• Do not add page numbers or running heads to the copyright page.
• Update the edition, year and ISBNs whenever you publish a new edition.

LiberScript's front matter includes a copyright page template you can fill in once and export correctly to print and ebook formats.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Reusing one ISBN across formats.
• Forgetting to update the edition after a major revision.
• Copying another book's copyright page with its publisher or ISBN details left in.
• Missing fiction or advice disclaimers where the genre needs them.
• Using a company name as owner when you, not the company, hold the rights, or the reverse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a copyright page to be protected?

In most countries, copyright protection arises automatically when a work is created, without a notice. A copyright page still makes ownership and rights clear, and is standard in professionally published books.

Can I use a pen name on the copyright page?

Yes, many authors do. Make sure the name matches how you publish and that your contracts and any registrations are consistent.

Do ebooks need a copyright page?

Yes. Ebooks should carry the same copyright information, with the ebook ISBN if you use one. Some authors place it at the back of the ebook.

What year goes on the copyright page?

The year of first publication. If you publish a revised edition, you can list both years, such as "Copyright © 2024, 2026".

Ready to format your book's front matter? Get started in LiberScript or see pricing.