Can I just say all rights reserved?
Asked by: Connie Durgan | Last update: February 3, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (40 votes)
Yes, you can use "All rights reserved," but it means you are reserving all legal rights to your creative work (like text, photos, music, etc.), preventing others from copying, distributing, or modifying it without your explicit permission, effectively telling users they need to ask you first for any use beyond basic browsing or "fair use" exceptions. While not always legally required anymore (thanks to the Berne Convention), it's a clear signal that your content isn't free to use and you retain full control, unlike "some rights reserved" or Creative Commons licenses.
Can anyone say All rights reserved?
Although the phrase "all rights reserved" is not required, there is no harm in adding it. Someone unfamiliar with copyrights may see this phrase and be deterred from copying the work.
What should I caption to avoid copyright?
No copyright infringement is intended. I do not own nor claim to own the rights to any of the [type of content] shared.
Can I use an image that says All rights reserved?
The phrase “all rights reserved” reinforces that no part of the work can be used without explicit authorization.
How do you write a disclaimer to avoid copyright?
The copyright disclaimer typically has four parts: the copyright symbol, the year of the page's publication, the name of the website's owner, and a statement reserving the rights of the site's owners to the site's content. The last part is optional, although it's encouraged for clarity and completeness.
What does All rights reserved mean?
Is it better to get a TM or a copyright?
Neither trademark (TM) nor copyright is inherently "better"; they protect different things, so the best choice depends on what you're shielding: trademarks protect brand identifiers (logos, names, slogans) for infinite duration with use, preventing consumer confusion, while copyrights protect original creative works (books, art, music, code) for life plus 70 years, preventing unauthorized copying. Often, you need both, like a trademark for your company logo and copyright for the artwork within that logo, to fully protect your brand and creative assets.
How to write copyright all right reserved?
The copyright symbol © or the word “copyright” The name of the copyright owner or author of the work. The year the content was published, which can be different from the year of creation. Your statement of the rights you're reserving over the materials.
What is the 3 month rule for copyright?
The "copyright 3 month rule" refers to a key deadline for U.S. copyright registration: you must register your work within three months of its first publication (or before infringement begins) to be eligible to claim statutory damages and attorney's fees in a copyright infringement lawsuit, which can be crucial for remedies beyond just an injunction. Failing to meet this deadline means you generally can only sue for actual damages (harder to prove) if infringement occurs, but registration is still vital for other benefits and to sue at all, notes Donahue Fitzgerald LLP and Cotman IP.
Can I use content with all rights reserved?
Answer: All rights reserved copyright means that the copyright holder reserves for their own use, all the rights provided by copyright law. Typically, if the materials are copyrighted with all rights reserved, the users are not allowed to republish them without copyright holder's explicit permission.
What quotes can I legally use?
You DON'T need permission:
To use quotes from famous people as long as they are used in a brief and positive or neutral way to support your independent work - and with prop- er attribution. To quote or reference the title or author of a work such as books, poems, movies, TV shows or songs.
Is a disclaimer enough to avoid lawsuits?
Even though general disclaimers aren't effective in most situations, they can prevent lawsuits by discouraging customers from pursuing legal action – and it can be hard for an average consumer to tell the difference between a legally valid and invalid disclaimer.
What words can you not copyright?
According to 37 C.F.R. §202.1(a), the following are not subject to copyright: “Words and short phrases such as names, titles, and slogans; familiar symbols or designs; mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering or coloring; mere listing of ingredients or contents.”
What are common copyright violations?
One of the most common forms of copyright violation involves downloading or sharing songs and movies from the Internet without the express consent of the copyright owner.
When can you write all rights reserved?
Here are some guidelines to help you determine when to use the phrase: Original works: Use “all rights reserved” on original creative works that are eligible for copyright protection, such as books, articles, photographs, artwork, music, and website content.
How to copyright a quote for free?
No, you can't register a phrase for free. You can establish a common law trademark for free, however, by using the phrase to brand your products. Common law trademarks are free and do not require any paperwork or forms.
How long is Mickey Mouse copyrighted?
The copyright for the earliest Mickey Mouse, specifically the version from the 1928 film Steamboat Willie, expired on January 1, 2024, entering the U.S. public domain, but Disney retains strong trademark rights and copyrights on all later versions of Mickey, so only the non-speaking, simple design from Steamboat Willie is free to use, leading to new creative works like horror films while Disney aggressively protects its modern iconic mouse.
Can I use 2 seconds of a copyrighted song?
No, there's no magical number of seconds (like two) that makes using a copyrighted song legal; even a tiny snippet can be infringement, as it depends on the context of "fair use" (transformation, purpose, amount) and copyright holders can claim or strike your content, though short clips are less likely to be detected automatically. The safest bet is always to get permission, use licensed music libraries, or ensure your use is highly transformative (like parody).
What happens if I don't register my copyright?
Unregistered copyrights still offer protections, and an owner can still take action against infringement. However, the owner would be limited to actual damages, which may be more difficult to prove. In addition, without registration, it may be harder for an individual to prove their ownership in court.
Can I use songs with ℗?
Note that there are typically two copyrights that must be addressed when a work is sampled (and thus two copyright holders from whom you must get permission in order to avoid infringing): The copyright to the song itself - the © The copyright to the version of the song (i.e. the master) – the ℗
How to protect your book before publishing?
US. Registering your copyright for a book is a formal process where you submit your work to the U.S. Copyright Office and pay a fee. This registration provides legal proof of ownership and protection.
What is the best disclaimer for copyright?
Copyright Statement of Rights
There are 3 main types of rights most copyright notices will maintain: All Rights Reserved. You keep all rights to your material. This is by far the most commonly used and seen statement of rights in copyrighted materials.
Should you trademark or LLC first?
For most businesses, form your LLC first to establish a legal owner for your brand, then apply for a trademark under the LLC, but always conduct a trademark search before forming the LLC to avoid costly rebrands if the name is already taken. The LLC provides liability protection and a legal entity to own assets like trademarks; however, you need to know the name is clear before registering the LLC.
What is stronger, TM or R?
Legal Protection: The ® symbol provides stronger legal protection than ™. It gives you the right to sue for trademark infringement if someone else tries to use your registered trademark without permission.
Can someone steal my logo if it's not trademarked?
If your logo is registered with the USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), you have a strong legal foundation to stop others from using it. But even without registration, you may still have common law rights if you've been using the logo consistently in commerce.