You Think These Aren’t Photo Copyright Infringement (But They Are)
Here’s some activities that you think aren’t photo copyright infringement… but they are. These’ll be in the context of social media, websites, and podcasting. Rapid fire, let’s go! Photo Copyright Infringement 101: posting a photo that you didn’t take. Unless you have agreed with the person that DID take the photo that you could, of … Continue reading →
What a [good] Lawyer Does When You’ve Been Copied
In this post you’ll learn, in my opinion, what a good lawyer does when that dreaded moment hits: you’ve been copied. Spoiler alert: a good lawyer will just walk you through your options. And those options are: contacting the infringer,, DMCA takedown, sending a letter, filing a lawsuit, and doing nothing. Option When You’ve Been … Continue reading →
3 Benefits of Registering A Website with the Copyright Office
Pretty self-explanatory by the title: you’re going to get the top three benefits of registering your website with the Copyright Office. Let’s go! Benefit of Registering A Website with the Copyright Office #1: Presumptions. Now, before your eyes glaze over, let me give you a little explanation of what a presumption is. Think of a … Continue reading →
WordPress: Terms of Use You Didn’t Read
Y’all know I’m a big Terms of Use geek. I’m super excited about this new monthly series, “Terms of Use You Didn’t Read.” I will go in and pick out a handful of terms in platforms that you might be using and point out some of the things that you’ve agreed to by using the … Continue reading →
Inspired Versus Infringing: A Look at “Idea Law”
There’s always that question about the fine line between being inspired by something and infringing. This post gives you a quick reminder on what copyright infringement is and a brief little explanation on what’s protectable under copyright law and what’s not. By the end, you’ll have a good understanding of “idea law” and how that … Continue reading →
3 Contracts Online Creators Must Have in Place
By the end of this post you will know the three contracts that online creators must know about, in my opinion. And I’m not just telling you what those contracts are. I’ll give you some key terms and the problems that each of these documents will prevent. So let’s dive in. Contracts Online Creators Must … Continue reading →
Make More Money with Trademark Licensing in 2020
Licensing your trademark is a great way to make some extra money without reinventing the wheel. By the end of this post, you’re going to understand what a license is, some special things about trademark licenses, and examples of ways you can make more money with trademark licensing in 2020.. First, what is a license? A … Continue reading →
How A Supermodel’s Post Could Influence Copyright and Photo Law
So, you may have missed this lawsuit filed over the summer, Summer 2019, and it was an interesting one in the world of copyright and photo law. Gigi Hadid who, of course, is a famous supermodel, was sued for copyright infringement. And here a couple little details. Background of the lawsuit A paparazzi company filed … Continue reading →
Learn to Create a “Legal” Podcast Ad Before Hitting Record
I think it’s safe to say that it’s a goal for every podcaster is to either use the podcast as a tool to bring in business directly, or to line up some bangin’ sponsorships and advertisements on the show. (Maybe both.) But there are some rules for advertising on podcasts. This post will educate you … Continue reading →
3 Things to Think About When Choosing a Trademark for your E-Course
By the end of this post you’re going to have a good handle on what trademark strength is and what descriptiveness is, and how they kind of play a role and in naming your e-Course. You will also have a couple of real-life examples of what can happen when you choose a descriptive trademark for … Continue reading →
Re-Sharing User-Generated Content, Legally
Let’s talk about re-sharing user-generated content, legally, on Instagram. By the end of this post, you’ll understand 1) what user-generated content is, and 2) what it means to share user-generated content while complying with copyright law. There are a few ways that this can come up. The first is where a brand has tagged you … Continue reading →
Why Using Photos from the Internet is Usually a Bad Idea
Using photos from the internet can be such a source of headache. By the end of this post, you’re going to understand why it’s probably not a good idea to use images that you found on Google Image Search or Pinterest in connection with your business, and what you might do instead. Common misconception: a … Continue reading →