Copyright photos - date to use?

[Chris Bishop]

When  adding ©2009 to a photo, is it the year the photo was taken, or the year it was published? In my case sent to flickr.
Chris Bishop

[peterkrogh]

Chris,
It's no longer really necessary to include the date.
You can choose whichever you want, ultimately.  The date of publication is just as valid as the date taken.
Peter

[DawMatt]

Circular 1 on the US Copyright Office website elaborates this.  In particular have a look at page 4, especially the "Form of Notice for Visually Perceptible Copies".  Don't worry its not as daunting a read as it might first sound.

Matt

[rogerhoward]

Traditionally it was the year of first publication, not creation, but as others have noted this distinction - and the notice itself - are not essential anymore. Nevertheless, if I were to place a notice on a work, I'd use the date of first publication as it will be no earlier, and possibly later (giving you a term advantage) than the creation date.

- Roger Howard