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What to know about copyrights and social media

On Behalf of | Sep 22, 2022 | Intellectual Property |

Many businesses take advantage of the opportunities available to them through social media. Through their posts on their profiles, they can gain exposure, communicate with potential clients, advertise and much more. However, there are reasons why a Connecticut business will need to be careful about what information it shares publicly. It could be critical to consider the issue of copyright protection and how a company can protect itself when sharing content on social media.

As a business owner, you understand the importance of shielding your long-term interests, including in matters pertaining to copyright protection. Copyrights offer you the opportunity to protect certain intangible assets that could provide your business with its competitive advantage. Not only will you need to know how to secure appropriate protection for your own property, but you will also benefit from understanding appropriate use of images and content owned by others.

What is a copyright?

A copyright legally protects original works from unauthorized use. Original works created by your business, such as logos, images, pictures, music and more, are part of your intellectual property. Like physical assets, you will benefit from taking steps to protect your intangible assets as well. This means that no person or company can use your original works for their own benefit or as their own content without providing appropriate attribution and credit to the owner. Copyright exists once someone produces, publishes or posts an original work in a tangible, visible medium.

This means that, when your company posts originally created content on social media accounts, including blog posts, copyright applies. If you find that another social medial user, individual or business is using your content without permission or without giving credit, you have grounds to take legal action. Determining if copyright infringement took place can be complicated, and you may benefit from seeking a professional opinion regarding a possible copyright issue.

The interests of your business

As a business owner, you will benefit from taking whatever steps are necessary to shield the interests of your business. This includes the protection of all your property, including intangible assets and social media. An assessment of your specific situation and concerns can help you understand what steps are necessary for your company to have the necessary amount of protection, as well as what you can do if you believe a copyright infringement took place.