How Small Businesses Can Avoid Copyright Mistakes Online

Social media is a powerful tool for small businesses to connect with customers, promote products, and build their brand. But navigating copyright laws on social media can feel like a maze. Whether you run a boutique, a repair shop, a consultancy, or an online store, understanding how copyright laws apply to your content can save you from costly mistakes.

This guide will break down copyright basics for small businesses, share actionable steps for compliance, and highlight tools to make staying within the rules easier.

Copyright: What It Is and Why It Matters

Copyright protects original work like images, videos, music, and written content. The creator or owner of that work has exclusive rights to use, share, or sell it. Using content without permission can lead to legal action, including removal of the material, fines, or other penalties.

For small businesses, this means you can’t grab images or videos off the internet for your marketing just because they’re available in search results. Likewise, if someone uses original content you’ve created without your permission, you have the right to ask them to take it down or pursue other legal actions.

Key Industries Affected by Copyright Laws

• Retail Businesses: Using photos of products created by others without proper licensing.
• Service Providers: Sharing customer testimonials or work portfolio images owned by third parties.
• E-Commerce Stores: Using music or stock images in product advertisements without attribution.
• Creative Freelancers: Ensuring your designs, photos, or written content are not reused without permission.

Avoiding Common Copyright Mistakes on Social Media

1. Know the rules for using content.

Anything you didn’t create yourself, including photos, videos, music, and articles, is likely copyrighted. Always assume content is protected unless explicitly labeled as free to use, such as those under Creative Commons.

2. Ask for permission or use licensed content.

If you want to use an image, video, or a piece of music created by someone else, contact the creator and get written permission. Alternatively, consider using royalty-free or licensed content from platforms like Shutterstock, Unsplash, or Epidemic Sound for music.

3. Be careful with music.

Many platforms offer a library of music licensed for use in your videos. Stick to these libraries rather than downloading popular songs to avoid being flagged or muted.

4. Respect other businesses’ content.

Sharing another business’s social media post? Always tag and credit the original creator, even if you have permission to share.

What to Do If Your Content Is Stolen

If you find that someone has used your original content without permission — for example, reposting your photos or using your branded videos:

1. Politely contact them and request they remove the content or properly attribute it to you.
2. File a takedown request through the social media platform’s copyright violation system.
3. Consult an intellectual property lawyer if the offense continues.

Best Practices for Small Businesses to Stay Compliant

Here’s a simple checklist to keep your business on the right side of copyright law:

Daily Content Compliance Checklist

1. Only post content you created or own. Examples: Photos taken by your team, videos you filmed, or captions you wrote.
2. Double-check that any third-party content is licensed or properly attributed.
3. Review social media platform guidelines for specific copyright rules.
4. Consider adding watermarks to your original images to protect them.
5. If in doubt, ask a legal expert specializing in intellectual property.

Tools to Stay Organized

• Canva or Adobe Express for creating custom images and graphics.
• Pixabay or Pexels for free stock images and videos.
• Hootsuite or Buffer to schedule and audit your posts for compliance.

The Costs of Copyright Violations

Using copyrighted material without authorization, known as copyright infringement, can have heavy consequences:

• Monetary Damages: Fines range from $750 to $30,000 per offense, with higher penalties for intentional misuse.
• Criminal Charges: Willful infringement can lead to prison time or up to $250,000 in federal fines.
• Reputation Damage: Receiving a takedown notice or court summons creates public record and can harm your credibility.

Imagine using a popular song in your TikTok ad only to have the video muted or removed. It’s not just annoying but also unprofessional. Worse yet, if you’re caught repeatedly, platforms may suspend your account.

Final Thoughts

Navigating copyright laws on social media doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right tools and knowledge, you can confidently create and share content that builds your brand without legal risks.

By following best practices and using resources like licensed libraries or a good attorney’s advice, your small business can focus on growing its online presence.

This article is adapted from a byline originally published in Pizza Today.