How Can I Prevent Unauthorized Reproduction of My Work Online?

Creators pour time and energy into original content, designs, innovations, and branding. Unfortunately, the internet makes copying far too easy. A photo can be downloaded in seconds. Written content can be scraped and reposted. Logos and product designs can quietly show up on someone else’s website or social media feed. While, unfortunately, no strategy offers absolute protection, there are practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of unauthorized reproduction of your work online. Read this article and reach out to Lemler IP to speak with a knowledgeable Orleans Parish, Louisiana intellectual property lawyer to learn more. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What legal protections automatically apply to my work?

Many creators do not realize that some intellectual property rights attach the moment a work is created. You do not always technically need to file paperwork for basic protections to exist (though you always should). That said, in general, the following protections apply automatically:

• Copyright protection arises when an original work is fixed in a tangible medium, such as writing, photography, artwork, music, video, or software.
• Trademark rights can develop through actual use of a brand name, logo, or slogan in commerce, even before federal registration. 
• Trade secret protections may apply if confidential information derives independent value from not being publicly known and reasonable steps are taken to keep it secret. 

Importantly, while automatic protections are helpful, they are limited. Enforcing them becomes much easier when you can clearly prove ownership, creation dates, and consistent use. 

How can I reduce the risk of unauthorized reproduction of my online work before it happens?

Prevention starts with making your ownership visible and your content harder to misuse. Unfortunately, these steps may not stop determined infringers, but they can discourage casual copying and bolster your position if enforcement becomes necessary. Some of the most useful preventative measures are as follows:

• Using copyright notices on websites, blogs, images, and downloadable materials to clearly assert ownership. 
• Registering copyrights and trademarks when appropriate, since registration provides stronger remedies and clearer enforcement options. For U.S. works, copyright registration is generally a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit, and it unlocks the ability to claim statutory damages.
• Applying watermarks or metadata to images, videos, and digital files to identify the original source. 
• Limiting high-resolution access to valuable visual content, especially for images that can be easily reused
• Posting clear terms of use that explain how your content may or may not be shared. 

Because unauthorized reproduction of your online work can dilute your brand, divert customers, and reduce the value of your intellectual property, it is strongly recommended that you speak with a knowledgeable New Orleans intellectual property lawyer who can advise you on how to best protect your IP from the start. If you have further questions or would like to speak with an attorney, please don’t hesitate to contact Lemler IP for an initial consultation today.