Copyright notice and disclaimer on my website

1. You don't need to, but it doesn't hurt to have a copyright notice to remind others your material is copyrighted.

Some, not knowing the law, may think your site is not copyrighted if it does not have a notice, so having the notice can reduce the use of your content.

2. A disclaimer for a recipe? Probably not required. The overall context is important.

If you are recommending a yummy pudding recipe generally no disclaimer is likely needed.

If you are recommending a yummy pudding recipe for people with a certain condition or allergy, who need recipes without certain ingredients or side effects, then a certain disclaimer may be needed.

3. Disclaimers are not just for income claims or losing a certain number of pounds. They can be needed to explain an affiliate connection or for some other reason.

There are two primary reasons for disclaimers:

First, to cover your butt so you don't get sued if the recommended product / service / recipe does not work out for someone.

Second, to inform and disclose biases that affect your recommendation, such as being paid to make the recommendation.

I won't say something prepared by an attorney is always required. But I will say there is a constant stream of problems my law office sees because an amateur or do it yourself term was used. Often, there is more to preventing legal problems than just the disclaimer wording.

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