Template tag that echoes html output for a copyright string on the page; includes option to have a "starting year" as well as the current year.

dynamic-copyright-statement.php

/*
 * Dynamic copyright date
 *
 * Template tag that echoes html for a copyright string to the page;
 * includes option to have a "starting year" as well as the current year.
 *
 * @param (string)	$organization	Optional. Name of the company or organization that holds the copyright to site content. Defaults to site title.
 * @param (string)	$launch_year	Optional. The year the site was launched.
 *
 * Example: the_copyright_statement( 'Figoli Quinn & Associates', '2014' );
 * will render on the page: © 2014-2016 Figoli Quinn & Associates
*/

function the_copyright_statement( $organization = '', $launch_year = '' ) {
	
	if( empty( $organization ) ) {
		$organization = get_bloginfo( 'name' );
	}
	
	$current_year = date( 'Y' );
	
	if( empty( $launch_year ) || $current_year == $launch_year ) {
		$copyright_date = $current_year;
	} else {
		$copyright_date = $launch_year . "-" . $current_year;
	}
	echo '<p class="copyright-statement">&copy;' . ' ' . $copyright_date . ' ' . $organization . ' | All rights reserved</p>';
}