//current year only
© <?php echo date("Y"); ?>
// with a start year
© 2001-<?php echo date("Y"); ?>
//1. Start date with error protection
<?php function auto_copyright($year = 'auto'){ ?>
<?php if(intval($year) == 'auto'){ $year = date('Y'); } ?>
<?php if(intval($year) == date('Y')){ echo intval($year); } ?>
<?php if(intval($year) < date('Y')){ echo intval($year) . ' - ' . date('Y'); } ?>
<?php if(intval($year) > date('Y')){ echo date('Y'); } ?>
<?php } ?>
//2. Usage
<?php auto_copyright(); // 2011?>
<?php auto_copyright("2010"); // 2010 - 2017 ?>