Copyright Dates
Copyright lines sometimes present the year in Roman numerals. The string is a normal calendar year written with I, V, X, L, C, D, and M—decode it left to right with standard subtractive pairs.
Where to find them
Look near © in film and television end credits, and occasionally on book copyright pages. Surrounding text may include a rights-holder name and legal phrasing; copy only the Roman letters for conversion.
Related guides: Roman numerals in movies, in books, and Roman numeral years.
Decoding steps
- Isolate the numeral (ignore ©, punctuation, and names).
- Uppercase the letters.
- Apply additive and subtractive reading (reading guide).
- Confirm a plausible four-digit-era year when expected.
Example: MMXXVI → 2026 (number page).
Common modern patterns
- Years 2000–2999 begin with MM.
- 1900–1999 often use MCM… patterns (1900 = MCM).
- Subtractive endings appear often: XXIV (24), XXIX (29), XCIX (99).
Writing practice: how to write Roman numerals.
Not every credit is Roman
Many modern productions print Arabic years. If you see digits, no Roman conversion is required. Sequel title numerals are usually ordinals, not copyright years—see movie sequels.
Examples
| Input | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| MCMXC | 1990 | 1990 copyright-style year. |
| MCMXCIX | 1999 | 1999 — CM, XC, and IX pairs. |
| MM | 2000 | Year 2000. |
| MMX | 2010 | Year 2010. |
| MMXXIV | 2024 | Year 2024. |
| MMXXVI | 2026 | Year 2026. |
FAQ
How do I convert a Roman copyright year?
Copy the Roman letters from the credit line and decode them with standard Roman numeral rules, or paste them into the decoder.
What does MMXXVI mean in a credit?
Calendar year 2026.