What a Copyright Page Looks Like [+ Free Templates]
When you’re preparing a book for publication, the copyright page deserves just as much attention as the title and blurb. It’s more than just a legal formality. It protects your rights. A self-publishing copyright page sample can help you understand what exactly should go on that page, right?
In this article, you’ll find a breakdown of what to include in your copyright page, plus ready-to-use templates for different genres. Also, including a checklist to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
1. Copyright Notice
The first line in the copyright page claims ownership of your book. It follows a simple format:
Copyright © [Year] by [Author Name]
You can use either “Copyright” or “©” in the beginning or both. The year is usually your book’s first publication date. Then, use your real name or pen name, whichever you're publishing under. That one line is what gives you legal protection as the creator.
2. All Rights Reserved Clause
The next part of a copyright page template for books is about the rights you own. It protects your right to control how your work is shared or reused. It makes it clear that no one can legally copy, store or distribute your book without permission.
The standard version looks like this:
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission from the author, except for brief quotations used in reviews or scholarly works.
You may also have found a short version in many books:
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be copied or shared without permission.
Both versions work. The short one looks cleaner, while the longer one sounds a bit more official.
3. AI Usage Restriction
With AI tools scraping massive amounts of text, many authors now add a line protecting their work from unauthorised use in AI training. This helps prevent your book from being used by AI systems without your permission.
A common wording looks like this:
This content is not licensed for use in training artificial intelligence models or tools and may not be copied, scraped or processed by AI systems without the author’s explicit permission.
Adding this is totally optional. It’s smart, though, to include it in your copyright page layout and as AI-generated content becomes more common.
4. Content Disclaimer
A disclaimer in the copyright page helps set clear expectations about your book and protects you legally. The exact clause varies depending on your book’s genre and style.
For fiction books, the disclaimer usually looks something like this:
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental.
Get ready-to-use disclaimers tailored to different genres’ book copyright page templates. Sign up below.
5. Trademark Disclaimer
If your book references real-world brand names, product logos, or company trademarks, it’s a good idea to include a trademark disclaimer. This protects you from potential legal issues by clarifying that you’re not claiming ownership of those trademarks, nor suggesting that the companies have sponsored, endorsed, or are affiliated with your book in any way.
Here’s a standard wording you can use:
All trademarks, service marks, product names, and logos appearing in this book are the property of their respective owners. Their use does not imply endorsement.
6. Edition Info
This little detail in a copyright page format tells your readers which version of your book they’re holding. It’s especially useful if you update or revise your book down the road.
For the first edition, say, you can write it like this:
First Edition: [MONTH, YEAR]Printed in [COUNTRY NAME]
For authors, it’s a simple way to keep track of your editions. And of course, it helps readers know they’re getting the most current version.
📌 Kindle-only Note:
If you’re publishing only on Kindle, feel free to skip the “Printed in [Country]” line. It’s not required for ebooks at all. You can even remove this section altogether from your KDP copyright page.
7. Publisher Information
This is where you say who published the book. If you're self-publishing, that usually means you. So, you can use your own name, pen name, or a custom imprint you’ve made. It’s also common to include your website, a contact email, and the country of publication.
Here's the usual format:
Published by [AUTHOR NAME or IMPRINT NAME]Website: [YOUR WEBSITE]Contact: [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]Country of Publication: [COUNTRY NAME]
This adds a professional touch to your copyright page and makes it easier for readers or retailers to reach you if needed.
📌 Kindle-only Note:
It’s not mandatory to include this section in a Kindle book. It’s considered professional, though, to have the book publisher name at least, even if it’s just you.
8. ISBN(s)
ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers) are also part of a copyright page template layout. They help identify your book in bookstores, libraries and online platforms. Each version of your book – paperback, hardcover, ebook and others – needs its own unique ISBN.
Here’s how you might list them on the copyright statement page:
ISBN (Paperback): [INSERT ISBN]ISBN (eBook): [INSERT ISBN]
You can get your own ISBNs from official agencies: Bowker in the US, Nielsen ISBN Agency in the UK, and Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) in India. If publishing on Amazon, you can use free ones provided by the platform.
📌 Kindle-only Note:
You don’t need an ISBN to publish on Kindle. Amazon gives your ebook a free ASIN, which you can leave out from the copyright page.
9. Professional Credits
The last part of the copyright page in a book is where you give a shoutout to the cover designer, editor, illustrator and others who helped bring your book to life. It’s optional, still, it’s a nice way to acknowledge your creative partners. It adds a touch of professionalism, too.
You can keep it simple, like:
Cover design by [NAME] | Edited by [NAME]
If you did everything yourself, you can list your own name (or skip this section altogether).
Here’s a minimalist Kindle-only copyright page sample
Don’t want to overthink copyright page?
Grab my ready-to-use editable copyright page templates for indie authors. They’re clean, flexible and easy to adapt for any genre.
It includes:
- ✅ Both PDF file and editable formats
- ✅ Varied fiction and nonfiction templates
- ✅ Separate, simplified Kindle-only layout
- ✅ Easy to copy, paste and customise text
- ✅ Checklist to double-check your final page
