The copyright symbol, , denotes legal protection for original works of authorship. On macOS, creating this symbol can be achieved through several methods. The most common involve keyboard shortcuts, specifically pressing Option + G. Alternatively, the Character Viewer, accessible from the input menu in the menu bar (or enabled within System Preferences), allows for insertion of the symbol. Another method involves utilizing the Text Replacement feature within System Preferences, where a user-defined sequence of characters, such as (c), is automatically converted to the symbol upon typing.
Using the copyright symbol is important because it provides notice of copyright ownership and can deter infringement. While not legally required in many jurisdictions due to automatic copyright protection, its presence strengthens claims and serves as a clear warning to potential infringers. Its usage dates back to international copyright treaties, establishing a standardized method for asserting copyright claims. The symbol’s consistent representation across platforms and media simplifies the process of indicating copyright protection.
