Just a few decades ago, the word ‘blogger’ referred mostly to teenagers who published their thoughts and poems on the internet. However, now, it’s a profession that can bring people considerable income, popularity, and power. An average blogger makes approximately $65,000 per year, while the stars of the industry make more than $100,000.
To start and develop the blog, you need at least basic skills in marketing, copywriting, photography, design, video production, data analysis, and law. Yes, you’ve read everything correctly. Blogging may deal with a variety of legal issues, and, not to get trapped or face a lawsuit, you need to be aware of them when you start a blog.
Most Common Legal Issues Bloggers Face and How To Avoid Them
‘Newborn” bloggers rarely dive deep into the legal peculiarities of the profession. As a result, sooner or later, most of them find themselves dealing with a variety of issues, conflicts, and even lawsuits filed by devoted readers or reliable partners. To help you avoid these mistakes, we have gathered the top ten legal issues bloggers have to deal with:
- Copyright infringement: Because of a lack of content or simply knowledge of the law, bloggers frequently use images, videos, and texts of other people without permission. As a result, it leads to legal action by the rights holders. Therefore, you should also give credit to the original sources of the content you use.
- Defamation: A blog is similar to a public informational space, even though it belongs to one person. Think twice before writing false or damaging statements about other people or companies. Otherwise, be ready to lawsuits for defamation, libel, or slander.
- Privacy violations: You have no right to make personal information about other people public without their permission.
- Trademark infringement: If you use a certain logo or name, make sure they do not belong to a registered trademark. Otherwise, it would take you much time and money to explain to the trademark owners you have stolen their intellectual property unconsciously.
- Misrepresentation and fraud: Collaborations and advertisements are the main source of income for many bloggers. However, some of them prefer a different way of making money — the so-called anti-advertising, when they make false claims about products, services, or people. Remember that it can result in accusations of fraud and misrepresentation and cost you more than you expect to earn.
- Breach of contract: If you have signed business contracts and failed to comply with them, be ready to return the money you’ve received or solve legal disputes.
- Plagiarism: Using other people’s ideas as sources of inspiration and plagiarizing them are different things. If you create content that is too similar to what someone has already done or copy it, always add citations or references to the original source.
- Violations of FTC guidelines: The Federal Trade Commission requires all bloggers to disclose sponsored content or affiliate links. Ignoring it may cause serious legal consequences.
- Employment law issues: Most bloggers work with huge teams: photographers, designers, copywriters, videomakers, marketing consultants. All these people should have employment contracts and have their labor rights protected. If you claim yourself to be a professional, deal with professionals.
- Tax evasion: Interestingly, many bloggers view their blog as their main source of income, but, at the same time, they do not consider it to be serious enough to pay taxes. A blog is a business and requires a corresponding approach. That is why if you don’t want to get a huge fine, control all your income and expenses and pay taxes on time.
If you’re unsure you can cope with all the legal aspects of blogging on your own or have already faced some issues, it is better to rely on an experienced attorney. To find one dealing with blogging and related issues, use a trustworthy lawyers website where you can find a professional who is working in your practice area and is aware of specific legislation in your state.
Conclusion
If you want a blog to become your business, you should approach it with proper responsibility. Everything you post — from a small picture to a huge text — will become subjects of public interest and discussions, and your task is to make sure these discussions won’t end up in court.
Therefore, be attentive to the content you post, the goods you advertise, and the materials you use so that none of them violates anyone’s rights, hurt someone’s feelings, or breaks any laws. Otherwise, your next post will be “How ignorance has led me to the courtroom.” It doesn’t sound very exciting, does it?
