If you're creating content for your business, you need to understand copyright basics.
One of the most common (and costly) mistakes I see small business owners make is using images they don't actually have the rights to use. It happens more than you'd think, and it usually isn't intentional. it's just that nobody explained the rules.
So here's the short version.
You're safe to use an image if:
✅ You took the photo or created the graphic yourself
✅ You hired someone to create it AND they transferred usage rights to you in writing
✅ You purchased a stock license that covers your specific use
✅ You sourced it from a subscription service like Canva or Adobe Express and it falls within their usage terms
✅ It is verified Creative Commons or public domain (more on that in the full article)
You are NOT safe to use an image if:
🚫 You found it in a Google search and downloaded it
🚫 You pulled it from someone's social media
🚫 You manipulated or traced it in Photoshop or another program to "make it your own"
That last one is where a lot of people get surprised. Editing or tracing someone else's image doesn't transfer the copyright to you. If the original work is still the foundation of what you created, that's called a derivative work, and you still need permission from the original creator.
I'm sharing this because I'm currently navigating a copyright situation in my own business where someone used one of my images for a commerical product without permission. It's a good reminder that these rules protect ALL of us as creators.
Read the full breakdown, including what Creative Commons and public domain actually mean and how to know if something qualifies, click right here 👇🏽
Can I Use That Photo? A Copyright Checklist for Small Business Owners and Content Creators
ELITE Advocate: Cindy Clearwater
