April 17th, 2025

Copyright Law Basics for Small Businesses and Content Creators

It usually starts with an email: short, formal, and alarming. A claim that you’ve used someone else’s copyrighted material without permission, along with a threat of legal action. Maybe it’s a cease and desist. Maybe it’s a platform takedown or a notice that your marketing materials have violated someone’s exclusive rights.

Suddenly, what felt like a regular Tuesday becomes a scramble to understand fair use, statutory damages, or whether you need to pursue legal action to protect your own intellectual property. This series is here to unpack those moments before they happen or after they’ve already begun.

Who This Series Is For

You might not realize it, but if you run a business, post content online, or share your ideas with an audience — you’re already brushing up against copyright law every day. From the marketing materials you use to promote your business to the images and videos you include in a blog post or reel, every asset can raise a question of ownership or permission. And if you’re unsure where that line is, this series is for you.

You’ll benefit most from this series if you are:

  • A small business owner using third-party images or stock videos
  • A content creator sharing creative work on social platforms
  • A team member managing a website, podcast, or YouTube channel
  • Someone who wants to avoid copyright infringement before it happens
  • Anyone who has already received a takedown, a warning, or a cease and desist

What’s at Stake

Most people don’t get into trouble with copyright law because they’re reckless. They get into trouble because they just don’t know the rules. Maybe they grabbed an image for a blog post, used a track in a reel, or borrowed a paragraph from someone else’s creative work. It felt harmless — until it wasn’t.

Here’s what can go wrong:

  • Lawsuits
    If a copyright owner decides to take action, you could be pulled into court and be on the hook for actual damages, statutory damages, or even attorney’s fees.
  • Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedowns
    One takedown notice can remove your video, podcast, or product listing overnight, especially on platforms that take copyright infringement seriously.
  • Platform bans
    Repeated claims can lead to strikes or suspensions on platforms like YouTube, Etsy, or Instagram, shutting down a major piece of your revenue streams.
  • Costly settlements
    Even without a trial, resolving a claim often means paying to make the problem go away — money better spent building your business.
  • Brand damage
    A public accusation of unauthorized use or stealing someone’s original work can hurt how customers see your business.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. A little awareness about what’s protected, how to share safely, and when to get help can go a long way in keeping your brand out of the mess.

What You’ll Learn in This Series

Understanding the basics of intellectual property protection could save you time, money, and your brand’s reputation. Whether you’re using someone else’s content or creating your own, this series will help you stay compliant and in control.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Final Thoughts

If copyright issues feel confusing or overwhelming, you're not alone. Most people are simply trying to do the right thing, but the rules aren’t always clear. That’s why we wrote this series. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore the rest of the articles. They’re short, useful, and made to help you avoid the stress of missteps down the road.

Are you wondering about any of the issues mentioned above? Please email us at info@wilkinsonlawllc.com or call (732) 410-7595 for assistance.

At Wilkinson Law, we give business owners the clarity they need to fund, grow, protect, and sell their businesses. We are trustworthy business advisors keeping your business on TRACK: Trustworthy. Reliable. Available. Caring. Knowledgeable.®

Categories: Copyright Law