A copyright symbol conveys the message “if you copy this without attribution you’re in big trouble.”
So why would a PR person put a copyright symbol on a press release? Enough of them must because it turned up as one “10 dumb things that smart marketers do,” a helpful list written by freelance writer and marketing pro Joy Jennings and posted at the Media Orchard blog.
If you write anything for your company or organization, the list is worth checking. If you write press releases, opt into my free email course “89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases.”
This is an interesting topic you bring up and glad you did. I work with different types of authors and business people who may believe everything they say or idea dreamed up should not only be copyrighted but trademarked as well!
Oh please don’t confuse trademark with the actual formal way of registering your trademark because I speak of just using the tm sign in their content.
While I try to give good guidance and edit/rewrite material to present the reader with easily understood text, my clients don’t always agree, and that’s okay; but, there are some things that I believe cross ethical issues. What’s your take on this matter?