Do you create social media posts? Write articles/blog posts? Record videos? Take selfies/other pictures?
If you do any of these things, you have created work that might be protected by copyright law.
If you create any of these things for your brand or business, it’s time to think about your strategy for identifying, protecting, and (if you so choose) monetizing your work.
As pointed out by the great scholar Missy Elliott, copyrights, when used effectively, can penalize others when they wrongfully use and take credit for your work.
Copyright law is a powerful tool for content creators. But, it is also very misunderstood.
For example, things like the “poor man’s copyright” rule (mailing your creation to yourself to establish copyright protection), are useless–if you mail your poem to yourself, all you’ve done is waste a perfectly good stamp and envelope!
My goal with this episode of The Shontavia Show is to introduce you to the real, fundamental basics of copyright protection.
I run through copyrights 101–I talk about why content creators–and everybody who uses/posts things on social media–probably interact with, and create more, copyrighted work than any other type of intellectual property.
I also explain why, even though you don’t have to register works with the Copyright Office, you might want to think about it.
If you’ve ever wondered if you own any copyrighted work, and what you should do if you do, this episode is for you!
Check out the full episode below:
Show Highlights
- 02:05 Missy Elliott’s important definition of copyrights!
- 03:21 The importance of copyrights for content creators
- 04:43 Taking it all the way back to the U.S. Constitution
- 05:45 The three things you need to protect your work via copyright law
- 12:17 What you DON’T need to protect your work via copyright law
- 16:14 Why your work can suck and still be copyrighted
- 18:39 Why you may want to pay to register your copyrighted work with the Copyright Office, even though you don’t have to
- 21:57 How long copyright protection lasts
- 23:45 What copyright protection gives you
- 26:12 Why you should understand copyright law, even if you have a team of lawyers
Questions and Action: Do you have copyrighted work?
After you’ve had a chance to watch the video, I’d love to hear from you in the comments section!
Please answer the questions relevant to your current situation:
1. What writings, pictures, music or other works have you created/do you create on a regular basis?
2. What works have you created in your business that, if copied by a third party, would have a detrimental impact on your business?
3. What is your strategy to protect your work? If you don’t have one, what is a baby step you could take today? *If you’re not sure, start by making a list of all of the work you’ve created that you think might be protected by copyright law.
Please give as much information as you can in response to these questions. I’m happy to share more tools and resources that help you get what you want.
Check out the show notes at the end of this page for links and resources from this episode.
Thank you so much for joining me on this roller coaster of an experience.
I am eternally grateful that I get to do this work with creators, entrepreneurs and innovators like yourself.
Let’s continue to make it happen,
Show Notes
How to copyright your content: https://shontavia.com/how-to-protect-the-content-youve-created/
Don’t put off protecting your work: https://shontavia.com/you-may-be-ignoring-the-most-important-parts-of-your-business/
Copyright Protection: What it Is, How it Works: https://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/faqs/copyright-protection/
Copyright Definition: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/copyright-definition-2948254
Answers from the U.S. Copyright Office to Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright: https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/index.html
Podcast Episode
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