Instagram has become a powerful tool for marketers. In fact, according to Statista, as of December 2021, Instagram reached a new milestone of 2 billion active users worldwide.
Instagram has over one billion users worldwide who share photos and videos daily with their friends and loved ones.
But did you know that Instagram could leave you needing a lawyer?
Instagram has over one billion users worldwide who share photos and videos daily with their friends and loved ones.
Hundreds of millions of people use Instagram Stories daily, and a significant percentage of these became more interested in a product or brand after seeing it on Instagram Stories.
These days, many people find user-generated content on social media more trusted than branded advertising.
But think twice before you share any content that’s not yours. If you’re doing any of these things on Instagram mentioned in the infographic below, you will soon need a lawyer!
The Basics of Instagram Copyright Infringement
According to Instagram, under its Terms of Use and Community Guidelines, you can only post content to Instagram that doesn’t violate someone else’s intellectual property rights. The best way to help ensure that what you post to Instagram doesn’t violate copyright law is only to publish content you’ve created yourself.
1. Your Insta-Famous Photo Might Be Copyright Infringement
Instagram has become a popular platform for people to share their lives online. However, many users are unaware they could violate copyright law if they don’t correctly credit others’ work. Some celebrities have even been sued over this issue. If your photo was taken from somewhere else without permission, you might be infringing someone’s copyright.
2. Your Photos May Violate Someone Else’s Privacy
If you’re using Instagram to post pictures of yourself, you may be violating someone else’s privacy. Some people use Instagram to keep their personal life private. They may not want their friends, family, or co-workers to know what they do. You could be breaking the law if you take photos of them without their consent.
3. Your Photos May Violate Someone Else’s Intellectual Property Rights
Some companies own trademarks, logos, and other intellectual property rights. You could infringe upon someone else’s intellectual property rights if you take photos or videos of these trademarks or logos.
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The Four Ways Instagram Could Leave You Needing a Lawyer
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Transcript
1. Uploading
If you upload an image or video on Instagram, you don’t take or have permission to use it. According to these statistics, 80% of Instagrammers follow a business (which means you fight for attention with them). So, you might get caught if you upload a photo or video you don’t have permission to use.
2. Re-posting
Re-posting an image or video on Instagram without the content owner’s consent. According to this article, when reposting, always provide the proper attribution. Some third-party apps will allow you to repost another user’s post to your account while giving proper attribution to the user.
3. Cropping
If you crop out someone’s watermark – a logo, image, word, or URL – on their video and use it. Be very transparent about sponsorship campaigns that you’re running with influencers. See to it that they fully disclose their relationship with your brand by tagging their posts with hashtags like “#ad” or “#sponsored”).
4. Unsure
If you’re unsure who owns a picture or video, you’re interested in it but still, use it. Whenever you are in doubt about a piece of content for Instagram, it’s best to seek legal advice from a reputable law firm. They will be in the best position to advise you on your legal rights to a piece of content.
Please don't use it whenever you're in doubt about a specific image, video or music. Click To TweetExercise Caution
Stop it now if you steal someone else’s image, video or music, claiming it’s yours! If your brand does any of the above on Instagram, then your brand is not for Instagram.
As a reputable organisation or brand, be sure of the source of the images, videos, and music you use on Instagram or any other social network.
Please don’t use it or seek legal advice whenever you’re in doubt about a specific image, video or music. Ask your lawyers for legal advice about your:
- privacy policy,
- image license,
- liability protection,
- proper disclaimers,
- copyright infringement,
- copyright protection,
and any other concerns you may have.
I always encourage my clients to create or use content from authentic sources they have legal rights and permission to use.
It’s a lot more tedious and expensive, but it’s better in the long run.
Things You Should Avoid Doing on Social Media
Avoid engaging in the following acts on social media:
- Publishing any abusive post
- Publishing any upsetting post
- Re-posting an image or video that you are not sure of its source, and neither do you have the right to post it.
- Video creation that may infringe on someone else’s rights.
Things You Should Do on Social Media
As a business, the safest way to use your social media presence is as a tool for addressing customer enquiry and getting customer opinions about your product or service.
Conclusion
Meta (the parent company of Facebook) owns Instagram, which means they have access to your data. This data can include your name, email address, phone number, location, and photos. You should delete your account if you don’t want them to see these details.
You might think deleting your Instagram account would mean no one can ever see your posts or comments. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. Even after you delete your account, Instagram keeps your information for at least 30 days. They also keep your username and profile picture.
So, if you’re worried about someone finding out who you are, you should consider changing your username. Also, you shouldn’t post anything that could get you into trouble. For example, you shouldn’t share nude photos or other inappropriate content.
In conclusion, while it’s essential to protect yourself legally when using social media platforms, it’s also necessary to know how to use them effectively.
These days there’s no need to cut corners and be mediocre with content creation for social media. If you need help with creating content for social media, contact us. We would be glad to help.
Related Article(s)
- Reasons You Should Be Talking About B2B Social Networks
- Why Your Brand Should Not Be on Instagram
- The Mauco Blog Archive
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