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 →
Anatomy of an Influencer Endorsement Contract
If you have a dedicated following in your niche market, you might have dipped your toe in the affiliate pond, creating sponsored content with brands that you adore or just plain believe in. Or, you’ve found the perfect ambassador for your brand. Someone with a decent sized following that is (more importantly) very engaged. You … Continue reading →
Online Marketing Lessons from Fyre Festival
By now, you’ve seen the documentaries. (One aired on Netflix; the other, on Hulu.) It’s the kind of story you end up watching with your hands partly covering your eyes, for several reasons. That the situation departed from the planned luxury music festival experience is an understatement. To go from advertising a private villa experience … Continue reading →
Trademark Toolkit: An Educational Resource
It’s no secret that trademark is one of my favorite topics. Trademarks are everywhere we look — from your Apple TV home screen to your Pinterest feed. In this trademark toolkit, we’ll talk about what exactly is a trademark, the nitty gritty on trademark searches, and things like domain names and trademark registration. Of course, … Continue reading →
Trademark Scams and How to Avoid Them
Becoming the owner of a registered trademark has its perks. Plus, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office mails you a fancy certificate with a gold seal. In recent years, though, along with that certificate, the USPTO started sending out warnings. Warnings of trademark scams. Usually sent on an orange piece of paper along with the … Continue reading →
A Legal Checklist for Selling on Etsy
Etsy is the first place that pops into mind when I want to find a special gift or something created by a small business owner. Want to open up shop yourself? This month’s blog post introduces Spear IP’s Essential Legal Checklist for Selling on Etsy. Here’s a brief description of the topics you should expect … Continue reading →