2023 already! How do you update your copyright in Lightroom? Here’s the simple steps.
It’s so easy to forget this as the year only changes – well, once a year! So, if you automatically add your dated copyright when importing photos, did you remember to update your copyright preset? Here’s a quick tutorial on how to fix the date in your copyright preset for all of the different Lightroom versions:
Lightroom Classic & Lightroom 1-6
- At the top of the Metadata panel, select Edit Presets from the Preset pop-up.
- Select your Copyright preset from the pop-up at the top of the dialog.
- Type your chosen copyright in the Copyright field. In many countries, that will be © [year of first publication] [your name], for example, © 2023 Paul McFarlane.
- Select Update Preset from the pop-up at the top of the dialog.
- Click Done to close the dialog.
- Don’t forget to select it in the Apply During Import panel in the Import dialog!
Tip: To add a © symbol in the Copyright field, hold down Alt while typing 0 1 6 9 on the number pad (Windows) or type Ctrl-Alt-C (Windows) / Opt-G (Mac).
Lightroom Desktop (cloud-based)
Open Lightroom’s Preferences, which are found under the Edit menu (Windows) / Lightroom menu (Mac). Select the Import tab and click in the Copyright field to update the contents.
Lightroom Mobile (cloud-based)
Open Lightroom’s preferences using the App Settings cog (iOS) / hamburger menu (Android), then go to the Import menu. Tap in the copyright field to update the contents.
Updating Existing Photos on the Desktop
What about photos shot in 2023 that you’ve already imported? Select them in Grid view on a desktop app, make sure it’s set to Selected Photos in the Metadata panel. Then type the correct copyright in the Metadata panel (Lightroom Classic, Lightroom 6 or earlier – shown left) or in the Info panel (Lightroom cloud-based desktop – shown right).
And that’s it! You’re done with updating Copyright for another year!
Originally published in 2022, updated for 2023.
For extensive information on Lightroom Classic, see Adobe Lightroom Classic – The Missing FAQ.
If you have the Photography Plan, then as well as Classic you have access to the Lightroom cloud ecosystem including the mobile apps and web interface. For more information on these apps, see Adobe Lightroom – Edit on the Go.
Note: purchase of these books includes the first year’s Classic or cloud-based Premium Membership (depending on the book purchased), giving access to download the latest eBook (each time Adobe updates the software), email assistance for the applicable Lightroom version if you hit a problem, and other bonuses.
We also have a special bundle offer for the two books. This includes Premium Membership for the first year as described above for the whole Lightroom family!
You skipped probably the most important step….
Where are the metadata panels? Without that information the rest is useless.
Thanks Chuck. If someone doesn’t know where to find the Metadata panel, they’re probably better off starting with our free “Quick Start” eBooks before trying to jump into these steps.
However, for the sake of clarity, I can confirm that the Metadata panel is found in Lightroom Classic (or the original Lightroom 1-6). In the Library module, it’s at the bottom of the right panel group, and there’s a picture of it at the end of the blog post to help identify it.
I think I remember being able to change the font on the copywriter on the mobile version but I can’t find where it was to change it. Any help is appreciated.
When you tap on the Share menu, select Export As, then Include Watermark, then Customize. If Text is selected at the top, the T button lets you pick the font.
Nice idea
To register your copyright, you’ll need to submit a completed application form, a non-returnable copy of your work, and the appropriate filing fee. Once your application has been processed and approved, you’ll receive a certificate of registration from the Copyright Office.
As per previous reply I’m using LRC.Thanks
Hi Robert
You’re looking at the Lightroom Desktop part of the post (that deals with the cloud version of Lightroom).
Go to the top under Lightroom Classic & Lightroom 1-6 for instructions (it’s changed in the Metadata Panel)
LR 12.1. Under preference there is no tab for “ import “ ?? Trying to update copyright info as per your email. Where can I do this. It’s windows 10.
Thanks Victoria!
Copyright preset update done.
Happy New Year.
Thanks Victoria!
Quick question, I recently migrated to a new 16-inch M1 Max Mac laptop (manually, in order to have as clean an install as possible. My catalog copied over fine, but my metadata presets did not. I still have a backup of the old laptop, so can you tell where to to go to grab those in order to restore them to my current install of LR Classic? Or am I fine to just start from scratch, since it appears that the photos from previous years have the correct preset applied?
Many TiA!
Never mind, found it! 🤓👍🏼
Well done! For others interested, the default backup locations for all the Lightroom files are detailed on our blog:
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/backup-lightroom-files/
Also, if moving computers, we have our free eBook ‘Moving Computers’ that makes sure no files are missed.
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/moving-lightroom-free-ebook-2021/
Thank you for the reminder. I just updated, rather created a new copyright preset as my business name is now legal!
Happy New Year and thank you for the Copyright information, I completely forgot about that.
Thank you for the reminder and the instructions. Here’s my problem: whenever I use a copyright on my LR Classic photos I can’t seem to keep it from printing on the photos. I believe it’s possible to copyright the photos but not have it show up on a print? I can’t seem to figure this out and LR support seems to be confused between LR Classic and LR mobile IMO.
Thanks in advance,
Adrian
If you’re printing through the Print module, I suspect you just need to uncheck one of the checkboxes in the Page panel, perhaps Watermarking or Photo Info.
How do I copyright my husbands and my photographs as we both use the same laptop and Lightroom
You can create two different metadata presets and remember to apply the right one in the Import dialog. Same goes for photos that you’ve already imported, except you’d need to select only your photos and apply the preset, and then do the same with his.