Many brands fall victim to social media copyright myths that lead to expensive legal issues.
Here are 5 Social Media Mistakes That Can Get Your Brand Sued 🥲
1. Can I use any image I find online for my social media posts?
No. You need permission or a license to use images found online for your social media posts.
2. Can I repost someone else’s social media content if I give them credit?
No. Giving credit is not enough; you need explicit permission from the content creator to repost their content.
3. Are memes considered fair use and free to share?
Not necessarily. Memes may still be protected by copyright, and sharing them without permission could infringe on the original creator’s rights.
4. Do I own the copyright to content I post on social media platforms?
Yes. You typically retain the copyright to your own content, but the platform may have rights to use it as outlined in their terms of service.
5. Is it okay to use music in my social media videos if I only use a short clip?
No. Even for short clips, commercial users and brands need proper licensing to use music in social media videos to avoid copyright infringement.
Brands and commercial interests who violate these can face fines of up to $250,000, legal costs, and other penalties.
Brands looking to leverage social media can do so using SmarterLicense; our Offers tool lets you license any post you see online on any file.