Top 5 mistakes people make with copyrights

Finally, everything is ready! Business is booming and you have your content and ideas ready for the market. Now all you need to do is to get a copyright and your content will be covered.

But before you jump into the world of intellectual property and file for a copyright for your business, it is important to familiarize yourself with some of the most common pit traps people fall into when filing for copyrights.

 In this article, we’ve curated the top 5 copyright mistakes business make and how you can avoid them.

So, without much further ado, let's jump right in.

What is copyright is?

Well, copyright is a legal term that describes intellectual property rights that help you protect original works of creative expression such as books, paintings, photographs, musical compositions, illustrations, etc.

When filing for copyright protection, here are the top 5mistakes most people make that you will want to avoid;

5 Copyright mistakes to avoid  

1. Trying to copyright everything

When getting started with IP protection, most people try to copyright everything creative they have. While that isn’t a bad thing by itself, it brings a lot of costs for small business owners who are often cash strapped.

For most small businesses, we advise you to start by copyrighting the core or most important item in your business.

For example, if your business depends on creating viral videos then you should consider copyrighting the videos. If you sell books and you have written a new book, then consider copyrighting it.

Consider copyrighting creative items that stand out, as unique and valuable to your business.

2. Not filing for copyright at all

While it might seem obvious, some people just ignore filing a copyright for their creative work. Most of them believe, it is inevitable the content will be stolen so there is no point in even protecting it in the first place.

However, this is a big mistake that could cost you thousands or even millions if your creative work ends up being very valuable.

While you don’t need to copyright everything, try and copyright what is worthwhile and valuable to your business. This will help you avoid losing your content to other creatives or copycats.

3. Copying copyrighted material

Before you right-click and drag your mouse to copy someone else’s content, it is important to consider the ramifications. Copyright infringement can result in steep criminal penalties and some cases, imprisonment.

Therefore it is important to avoid copying copyrighted material when creating your creative work.

4. Making minor changes to copied content 

A common myth most people buy into is thinking that it is fine if they just copy and made a few changes or tweak the copied content.

If you copy someone else’s content and make a few changes or tweak the material, you are still infringing their copyright and they could still file a case against you.

5. Trying to save money by doing it yourself 

While there is no problem with filling your own copyright, trying to save money by choosing not to hire a lawyer can land you into copyright issues especially if you haven’t done it before.

Instead of trying to save money by filing the copyright yourself, consider getting an attorney from a small firm or a solo attorney to file the copyright for you. Most of these attorneys charge affordable fees compared to attorneys from large law firms.

Got a question on Copyright or IP Law?

Reach out to us at Millar IP Law for all questions concerning copyright issues or IP Law and we’ll be happy to help you out. Otherwise good luck with your business.

If you are a startup, small business, or a solo-inventor looking for a high quality & affordable patent or trademark, you've found the right place. Miller IP Law offers transparent and affordable options specifically designed for your business goals. Grab a strategy meeting to kick things off!

Miller IP Law is a firm that focuses on small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs/solopreneurs. We’re easy to use. We offer affordable pricing that’s transparent and flat-rate. We focus on the little guys who actually need our help. If you’d like an attorney on your team, simply schedule a Zoom call, and we’ll take care of the rest.

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