How To Add Copyright Information To Photos In-Camera (The Right Way!)

Do you have your camera automatically adding copyright information to your images? If not, why not? Digital theft is at an all time high and adding copyright data to your images can add another layer of protection in the event of a dispute.
However, it's important to know the correct way to add the information to give yourself maximum protection - and most people do it wrong. In this video, I'm not just going to show you how to add copyright information to your images, but what you should and should not do. Plus, we'll talk about the Artist / Photographer / Author field that you find next to most copyright boxes - and the big mistake people make with it.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. There have been a few recurring questions about the Nikon keyboard and what happens if someone deletes your metadata. I've posted the answers on the blog post for this video at my site: backcountrygallery.com/how-to-add-copyright-information-in-camera/ Any additional updates will be posted there as well. And Happy New Year :)

[@EricHarmon67]

Copyright is such a sticky issue. I’ve heard so many different (sometimes, wildly different) versions of copyright technicalities for both software and images. From what I’ve been able to glean over the years, though, your explanation and recommendations seem to be spot-on.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks Eric :)

[@aussie8114]

No one would bother stealing my crappy photos. But just in case I now have ~ Copyright Steve Perry 2020 All rights reserved in my meta data 🤪

[@vladtheepic2281]

LoL

[@usernamemykel]

Steve, another good reason to have your name in the copyright section, is in the case that the CAMERA itself gets stolen - it's a little hidden gem of identity ownership, for recovery and evidentiary purposes.

[@backcountrygallery]

VERY good point!!

[@usernamemykel]

@@backcountrygallery That's what SHE said...

[@backcountrygallery]

@@usernamemykel LOL!!

[@usernamemykel]

@@backcountrygallery ; )

[@Trigger-xw9gq]

Good little vid Steve. Yes, image theft has become so bad that I'm having to watermark stronger & stronger all the time. It's a sad reflection of human nature to just take-take-take without permission.

[@Its-just-a-camera]

Don’t post pictures on social media sites as you actually don’t own it once placed publicly on Facebook

[@johnarmstrong5727]

Thanks for the reminder , I had remembered this year rather than discovering that in midsummer the copyright still has last years date ,

[@tucsondavehayes]

The Nikon D5300 does not have copyright option in the Setup Menu. Only a picture comment option. Happy New Year

[@Bob-qu5ux]

Thanks Steve. I had skipped this the last few years, so I got to update to 2024! Keep clicking brother!

[@seabrat6787]

Another thing I do is add an image comment with my address and add my phone number after my name in the Author/creator field. Then it is obvious who owns the camera in case it is lost/stolen and recovered! BTW, thanks for the video!

[@ekevanderzee9538]

Also, I there are cases where people have found a camera and want to return the camera and it's pictures to the owner. Having a name can help greatly, especially with the internet and social media.

[@thomas_tam]

Thanks Steve Perry, I have set it on my D7500 right now.

[@glynparry6598]

Just read your newsletter and have updated my cameras as you advise. Thank you Steve.

[@macmcmillen6282]

Excellent information. I'd been wondering for a number of years the best practice for setting these fields in camera. Thanks Steve!

[@kifraaglenikonistefou7434]

Watching u from France with lot of interest and photographic passion.. Hope one day you'll come in France for making a Wildlife shooting and/or a workshop with your followers. Great job, Steve. Joyeux Noël et bonne année 2020 !

[@shiredesai]

Thank you Steve for guiding us the appropriate method of putting copyright info on pictures. Good video👍👍

[@christosphillips3568]

Happy new Year Steve, great stuff as always © 👍🏻👏👏

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks - happy new year to you too!

[@robertoorrego4374]

I only have an option for image comment so I did it there. But it has limited space so all I could fit at the end was ARR

[@sarajitsil]

A very important refresher! I just got the year updated in my copyright text. As always thanks for creating this content and sharing with us. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!

[@cidercreekranch]

Happy Newy Year and thanks for the reminder to update the info. It turns out that Nikon does provide the ability to enter the copyright information on the some of the consumer models. On the D5200 that I had converted to infrared, the Copyright information entry is missing from the SETUP MENU. Though it it possible to have copyright information added to the image using the Image comment menu entry located in the SETUP MENU. But you cannot distinguish the Artist and Copyright texts. B&H has several videos on the topic of copyright that are worth watching.

[@macmac1934]

Thanks Steve, what about iPhone photos copy wright.

[@janschoonakker2311]

Thanks now I know how to. I thought putting my name at Artist would be enough.

[@ralphheksch7699]

Hi Steve, wish you a Happy New Year and thank you very much for those explanations!

[@coltharwood494]

Steve, thanks for the reminder. Had the information in there but needed to change the date.

[@robertstancer4469]

Happy new Year Big Guy to you and yours from us shivering on this rocky outcrop in the north east Atlantic. Keep doing what you do......don't tell the kids but you do my photography homework, my research, (heh, heh). Thanks for a very informative year. Keep it up.

[@khuntersr00]

I have a d750. How would I delete information if I type something incorrectly? Thanks

[@markglenday7291]

Thanks for sharing Steve greatly appreciated from Mark in Australia

[@deadtothewxrld]

Incredibly helpful, as usual! I always filled in both sections, but never realized the subtlies

[@voNashemaalo]

In d610 is hard to use letters. If you can help me please. Thank you

[@RaySweeting]

Great tips, was using the copyright on my D850 but updated it with your advice, thank you for posting.

[@margaritan6622]

Happy New Year, Steve ... and thank you for another informative and useful video!

[@charlierivera5725]

Awesome video thank you. 🙏 setting mine asap. Thanks again for your videos

[@Rizzstech]

Does the copyright have to be your name? Or could I use a social media handle to stay anonymous

[@gilbertrolland8505]

Thank you very much Steve for theses explanations, very appreciated. Have a nice year.

[@dance2jam]

Always appreciate the helpful information. I'm curious what spurned this video? Appreciate you spreading the news.

[@backcountrygallery]

The new year did :) Made me think it would be a good topic.

[@PCUser-sq7rk]

Thanks Steve, I am no photographer anymore. But, thanks for the great info.

[@jwelnaghosh3360]

I’m using Nikon d5300, I can’t find that option on my camera.

[@johngunning2123]

Brilliant. Copyright added to my camera body. Great tutorial.

[@jakobhovman]

Great infi,Liked the video, (The Right Way...!) New Years Greetings Steve...Best of luck and plenty workflow in 2020...!

[@josea.justiniano3329]

God bless you Steve I own a Nikon D5100 and D 5300 and they are poor men's cameras but I don't see they have this characteristic you explain in your video If you answer me I appreciate.

[@tjcuneo]

Thanks Steve. I perfect reminder for the new year. Happy New Year to you and your family.

[@SlavkoZec]

Hi, I wanted to ask yours, if you can answer me? I wanted to do some tutorials for Nikon D, but I don't know how you managed to get to the Nikon menu in the video, whether you recorded the display with the camera or it has to be downloaded somewhere from the Nikon site, so that you can virtually navigate and adjust the menu, to explain it more vividly to people, as you are currently doing with, say, this video. otherwise to your compliment you have very interesting and instructive videos. Greetings from a photographer from Serbia.

[@amitranjandey7477]

A very happy new year Steve. Great info. A simple query, are going to switch to Sony like others?

[@backcountrygallery]

I'm adding Sony to my system, but not switching. I plan to shoot both - there are things I like about both systems :)

[@amitranjandey7477]

@@backcountrygallery One more, do u prefer sony mirror less over nikon mirror less

[@backcountrygallery]

@@amitranjandey7477 I like Sonu better for action but I like Nikon's menu and layouts better - probably because I'm just more familiar with them. If I was going mirrorless for wildlife right now and didn't have any gear, I would go Sony.

[@bomac10]

Thank you much. That was just what I was looking for and I did subscribe. I have the same camera so was perfect!!

[@SR-sg7qk]

Is this the same for canon cameras

[@harris-design]

Another great video! Thanks! Odd question though; what office chair is that?

[@jazinzlaty4823]

I have done the ssetting in my nikon but doesn't show in Info

[@MichalVoros]

Great video...thank you!

[@chinmaybiswas7943]

Thanks Steve and Seasons best greetings to you and your family

[@joelrollins3984]

Great info! Thank you. Best wishes for the New Year!

[@FrankNazario]

is there a reason why you cover the model number of your Nikon?

[@KellerColeman]

Thanks so much for this video.

[@adipop]

Good video! I have sony and nikon didn't know anything about copyright

[@cryptographerchris4856]

Thanks. Great tips.

[@LimaGolf284th]

Thanks Steve, great information.👍🏾

[@mcculloughimagery4952]

On the Sony a1 seems like it won't fit all the copyright info is there another way to write it

[@backcountrygallery]

It doesn't, so I leave off "All rights reserved". I don't like it, but I also have a Lightroom preset to put in the copyright I want anyway when I import. The option on the camera is more of a safeguard :)

[@LSUfan]

Steve, is this copyright information something that can be edited by someone who gets a copy of a picture recorded with copyright information?

[@backcountrygallery]

Sadly, yes. The info is simply to make the person aware that you took the image. Metadata can be altered pretty readily.

[@markbushell38]

Happy New year Steve, liked this video but my Nikon D2x doesn't seem to have the copyright feature? Is it only on newer Nikon's that have this feature.

[@backcountrygallery]

I never used a D2X so I don't know (I started with Nikon with the D3, used Canon before that).

[@markbushell38]

@@backcountrygallery okay thank you.

[@Zimvg]

How can a view the metadata in a Gh6?

[@wlewisiii]

There is no copyright (that I can find) in my d3200. Image comment gets me "Copyright 2020 William Lewis, allrights" where it truncates out.

[@Irishkilt67]

Great info. Thanks Steve!

[@samG348]

This is so helpful and on point! Thanks!

[@ottokite]

There's a gotch for Sony A7 III users, by the time you've added "Copyright 2020" at the beginning and ", All rights reserved." at the end you only have 8 characters to put in your name.

[@backcountrygallery]

If need to you can omit the "All rights reserved" part. It's preferable to have it (so an infringer can't claim ignorance of the implied rights), but the notice can stand without it.

[@ottokite]

@@backcountrygallery Thanks Steve.

[@tomm6572]

On my Pentax (K3), the "Copyright" field has a character limit, and I'm not able to fit in the "all rights reserved" part. Is it necessary to type in the "Copyright" if the title of the field already says "Copyright"? I still wouldn't be able to fit it all in unless I did some abbreviating. Not that I'm that concerned about it...in fact, I think I'd be flattered if someone stole one of my images :) Anyway, thanks for the informative video, and Happy New Year!

[@cnlicnli]

Tom M: Skip including the text “All Rights Reserved.” In the US, it’s far *MORE* important to include the copyright logo or the text “Copyright,” or its abbreviation “Copyr.” If you have space, include your URL, email address, and/or social media handle so fans and licensees can find you. Tom M worte “I think I'd be flattered if someone stole one of my images.” Would you be flattered that instead of having to pay you a licensing fee of $250+, the infringer could keep that money? Would you be flattered if a million/billion dollar company, publisher, media entity was exploiting your images for FREE?! I sure hope not. BTW, if you’re based in the US and want to *FULLY* “enforce” your photo copyrights, they *MUST* be “timely” registered with the US Copyright Office. Watch the first 20-seconds of this KZbin Washington, DC copyright attorney litigator video to learn why registering your photographs is paramount to enforcing your creative rights: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXOyfJ6oocqMabs

[@reflux043]

When it gets to 2021 do you change it? Or do you keep it at 2020 when you set it up?

[@backcountrygallery]

You gotta go in and change it, every year.

[@reflux043]

@@backcountrygallery Thanks

[@reflux043]

​@@backcountrygallery 3 years later, i finally got a fujifilm x-t20, and im filling out this part! I have one more question. Do you put your real name into author or can you put an alias? Because your real name is in the copyright part anyway. Im not sure.

[@cnlicnli]

Steve Perry: In lieu of including the text “All Rights Reserved,” I would much rather include my website URL, email address, and/or social media handle. With a common name like yours, you want to make it easy for fans and licensees to find you.

[@ath3263]

Great videos and continued success

[@brentnearhood8874]

Happy New Year! Steve

[@TheDeanoSupremo]

Great information. Thanks, Steve!

[@krystiankrzewinski]

It was a perfect video. Straight to the point.

[@HHTV60]

Thanks!

[@marioswanson]

Where can I find this on my Canon EOS Rebel T6?

[@toddm6999]

Cool info

[@bonitaread4747]

Thank you Steve, very helpful advice

[@quoddyviews6047]

I just bought a used D810.....I can't find a way to clear current data (artist/copyright)...there's no back button to erase?????? Anyone??

[@jenfawkes7207]

Excellent little video, thank you

[@Mahesh99430]

Simple, yet worthy 😀

[@lisajeanlevin]

Thank you so much!

[@Mikey1962]

Thanks Steve.

[@BudBetz]

Good info Steve! Thanks!

[@gidesp1]

Merci beaucoup. Bonne et heureuse année.

[@SayanRoy-de4vw]

Thank you

[@martinbenford3442]

Great Video

[@slodays1158]

Good Info! Thanks

[@bobbowring1702]

Steve Perry do you change the year as it changes

[@backcountrygallery]

Yes.

[@bobbowring1702]

​@@backcountrygallery Thank you very much. Happy New Year

[@jcff1961]

Vielen Dank 😊 Grüße aus Deutschland 🇩🇪

[@yahyahali8313]

Thanks mate

[@TheOverlordOfProcrastination]

Will stock agencies accept photos with copyright embedded into photos?

[@IliveIchill]

Great!

[@JeffandLeslie]

do we need the year? What if I took a photo in one year and sold it or posted it in a different year? I'm not familiar with the ins and outs of copyright.

[@backcountrygallery]

Everything I’ve ever read about creating a copyright notice says to use the year, so I do. I also think, again, based on what I’ve read, that copyright infringement outcomes are quite dependent on the judge hearing the case and their interpretation. I’ve seen where a case was ruled against the photographer only to be overturned on appeal. So, it’s tricky. One judge might claim if it doesn’t have a year it’s no problem, another might say it’s not a true copyright notice because it lacks the year. Who knows? I’m not a copyright lawyer, so I can’t say for sure, but I for one am keeping the year in there :)

[@JeffandLeslie]

@@backcountrygallery sounds like sound logic. I have the year on mine. From what I've read it is the year the item first was published or created. The laws on this are really confusing to us photographers without legal degrees. :) Thanks for the response.

[@JeffandLeslie]

@@backcountrygallery hit reply to fast. Happy 2020 to you. I've enjoyed your ebooks.

[@wiebstar]

Maybe a stupid question (I’m new to this) but what if people screenshot your photos? This data is gone then right?

[@cnlicnli]

@wiebstar wrote, “…but what if people screenshot your photos? This data is gone then right?” You should ALSO affix a small, but readable, watermark logo or your copyright attribution to your photographs, as this will reinforce your legal and photo creative rights.

[@DrSantoshRaut]

Informative

[@willmen08]

thanks!

[@skakdosmer]

Thanks for this!

[@georgefrench1907]

Great info.

[@greggorter]

I want your tee shirt !!!! 🤓

[@josephinzawarudo273]

My name is really long and I cant fit it with the copyright information, does anyone have a solution for that.

[@cnlicnli]

@josephinzawarudo273 wrote, “My name is really long and I cant fit it with the copyright information, does anyone have a solution for that.” Abbreviate your first name and include your full last name. Or only use your first name initial with your complete last name. e.g. “R. Weatherington” Also try and include your website URL or social media handle somewhere in the camera’s copyright metadata lines.

[@jerichobelizar6758]

Thanks a lot!

[@user-kp1dq8rz6p]

Give more on Nikon with thank you efii

[@debasishbose2911]

Thanks again

[@kalyanik3943]

Why do we need to mention the year in copyright?

[@cnlicnli]

@kalyanik3943 wrote, “Why do we need to mention the year in copyright?” A complete copyright notice includes the year, either the YEAR of first-publication OR the YEAR the photograph was taken (if it’s an un-published photo).