How can you safeguard your intellectual property on different platforms?

Common issues are: Unauthorized use and distribution of images and videos. Ex. a photographers images being used without permission or attribution, despite marking their images with a watermark or a copyright notice, infringement is still rampant. Photographers have resorted to using digital tracking tools to monitor the unauthorized use of their images online. Unauthorized reproduction and distribution of music/films are issues, for example, a musician may release a song only to find it available for free download on various websites. Even though the music is marked with the artist's name, date, and notice of rights. Musicians and film producers often resort to using specialized agencies that monitor and take down unauthorized content.

In the media & tech, choosing a platform is crucial. A tech company that developed an app may prefer a platform that doesn't claim any rights to the app's code; or a musician may prefer a platform that doesn’t claim a license to modify and distribute their music. Content creators should consider how platforms handle unauthorized reproductions of their work, some platforms have proactive measures to detect and take down unauthorized content while others require the creator to actively monitor and report infringements. The choice of platform should align with the creator's IP rights and interests. Reading and understanding before signing up or posting any content is essential to avoid platforms that do not respect IP rights or interests.

Filmmakers often use watermarking to add invisible marks to screeners sent to critics or award juries. This helps to trace back any unauthorized copies that may appear online. In the tech industry, companies often encrypt their software to protect it from being reverse-engineered and copied by competitors. Photographers frequently watermark their images to deter unauthorized use and to assert their ownership when their work is shared across platforms or used without permission. Sophisticated infringers can remove watermarks or crack encryption. So, these methods should be part of a broader IP protection strategy that may include legal protections, monitoring for infringements, and taking swift action when unauthorized use is detected.

Authors and publishers often use plagiarism detection tools to check if their written work has been copied without permission. Musicians and film producers often employ specialized agencies that use advanced technology to detect unauthorized uploads of their content on various platforms, and then issue takedown notices on their behalf. While online tools and services can help identify potential infringements, they may not catch everything, and some manual monitoring may still be necessary. Additionally, the response to an infringement will depend on the situation, an independent artist may prefer to contact the infringer directly and request a removal or credit, while a larger company may prefer to involve legal professionals right away.

It’s crucial to educate about the importance of IP rights and how to protect them. IP infringement happens due to a lack of awareness about the rules and regulations surrounding IP. A marketing team member might use an image found online for a company's advertising campaign, not realizing that it's protected by copyright. IP laws vary from country to country; US-based company selling products online must consider not only US patent and trademark laws but also the IP laws of other countries. It’s crucial to have contracts outlining who owns the IP created during collaboration; a tech company hired a freelance developer to create a piece of software, without a contract, there might be disputes later about who owns the IP.