This summer, my goal is to help you discover if and when you need to care about specific legal topics. Click through to learn how to join me.
Protect and monetize
How do I keep my copyright when illustrating a children’s book?
Congrats! You’ve been approached to illustrate a book. But now you start to worry about copyrights. How do you keep them? How might you lose them? Learn the three ways you could lose them in this Ask Kiff episode.
5 practical ways to protect your content online
Nervous and scared to post your work online because you are afraid it will get copied? The short answer is the only way to protect your online content, is by not posting it. But this is unrealistic. Learn the 5 ways to protect it in this video.
Is it in the public domain? (Free chart to help you decide!)
Works started entering the public domain again in 2019. Curious if something you want to use is covered by copyright or in the public domain? Click through to view a chart that helps you to decide where it falls.
How long do I have to wait to sell my work after I submit my copyright registration application?
Congrats! You submitted your copyright registration application to the U.S. Copyright Office. But…then you discover that it’s going to take 2-10 months for your certificate to arrive. Do you have to wait to sell your work until you have a certificate in hand? Learn how quickly you can start selling your work in this week’s […]
Do you need to find a way to add ease to the legalese?
Before law school, I was a wildlife biologist. And after nearly a decade of counting birds and rodents, I was ready for a change. But I wasn’t sure what that change was. At the time, I was showing my nature photography in galleries and I debated trying to go full time. But law school had […]
Can I trademark a t-shirt design?
So you come up with an awesome phrase that would be perfect for a mug, a t-shirt, a card, or a hat. Can you run down to the Trademark Office and file a trademark for that phrase? Before you try to trademark a t-shirt design, make sure you check out this week’s episode of Ask Kiff. […]
Do I need to register my copyright?
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. In the United States, […]
Can I copyright my patterns?
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. If you create patterns […]
How to get the most bang for your copyright registration buck
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. I can’t emphasize enough […]
Can I place a blanket copyright on everything on my website?
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. What is a website […]
Create a product? Is it protected by copyright?
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. Don’t you love it […]
Why should I bother registering my copyrights? Here’s why…
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. Karen Lynn Ingalls came […]
If I reference photos or illustrations, how do I fill out my copyright registration application?
Do you use reference photos or illustrations when creating your work? Do you incorporate other’s work into your own? Then make sure you tune into this week’s episode where I share how to let the U.S. Copyright Office know this when you fill out your copyright registration application.
Join me Friday to get answers to your legal questions!
You have lots of questions about the legal aspects of your business. Join me Friday, November 17 to get answers to all your legal questions in a comfortable, conversational environment. Save your seat and leave your question! It can be scary, not to mention expensive, to ask legal questions. Maybe you worry that your question […]
Join me Friday to get answers to your legal questions!
The amount of information you need to know to run a business is overwhelming. Which is why each Friday, I host In Session, an educational experience designed to put the ease back in legalese for creative business owners. Every In Session, I share practical, actionable legal information that gives you what you need to start […]
5 trademark registration steps + how to get the strongest trademark
Ready to register your trademark? Great news! You can get instant access to a 37-minute workshop recording that not only explains the five steps required but breaks down why this is something I think you should invest in. Get instant access! I’m a big believer in DIY-ing things in your business. I do it all […]
I want to invite you to join me for a virtual summer camp!
Running a creative business is a rollercoaster. You have amazing days and tough days. Last month, I was in a serious funk. The tough days seemed to keep piling up. And for a few days, I fantasized about burning everything to the ground. And after that running away to a cabin in the woods for […]
What you agree to when you design for VIDA
Not sure what various print on demand sites terms of service say? Learn what they say before clicking, “I accept” Enter your information and get access to a chart comparing the TOS of more than 10 print on demand sites. Your privacy is important to us. Learn how we protect it here. Updated April 13, […]
Tired of beating back copycats? How a copyright small claims court could help
**October 2019 Update: This bill has been re-introducted during the 116th Congress as H.R. 2426, Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2019. It has no substantive changes from H.R. 5757 which was introduced previously. (H.R. 2426 passed the House on October 22, 2019.)** Creative business owners know that it’s only a matter of time […]
What can {social media service} do with your content after you post it?
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. You, like me, probably […]
What did you agree to when you entered a Minted challenge?
Hi! I’m Kiff! I believe that you can have ease in the legalese of running your creative business. Each week, I send out an email to help you confidently strengthen your business’ legal foundation by sharing my experiences and knowledge. Get tips from your friendly legal eagle… Your privacy is important to us. Learn how […]
How to register your trademark at the best time
Ready to register your trademark? Great news! You can get instant access to a 37-minute workshop recording that not only explains the five steps required but breaks down why this is something I think you should invest in. Get instant access! I’ve had a business crush on Lela Barker for a long time. I love her […]
Learning the Ropes: Tara Gentile
Ready to register your trademark? Great news! You can get instant access to a 37-minute workshop recording that not only explains the five steps required but breaks down why this is something I think you should invest in. Get instant access! I’ve had a business crush on Tara Gentile for a long time. As a […]
How to legally deal with copycats (+ avoid the rage spiral)
One day you are going to open up your email to find a message from a friend/fan/client/buyer saying: “Congrats!” I just saw your work on Art Print Site. I didn’t know you were being featured over there. It looks great! “Psst!” did you know that Etsy Store Name is using your photographs? Since it’s not […]
Do you need a legalese translator for your creative business?
For the past eight years, I’ve had the same black, beat-up, dog-eared dictionary on my desk. I totally admit that using a physical book rather than an online version is old school. But I find the physical aspect of pausing, flipping to the entry, and reading it so helpful. There are times that in that […]
9 terms you need to know before signing an art licensing agreement
While the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as a dumb question” we all know it’s false. There are dumb questions. But when you are new to something that has its own jargon, knowing what words to use is your first battle. And when dealing with legal stuff, that jargon is even more intimidating. I […]
Learning the Ropes: Alyson Stanfield
I first learned about Alyson Stanfield almost nine years ago via Google. I turned to Google because I was helping curate an art show. It was the first show I was taking an active role in the curation and promotion process. And I didn’t want to look like a total idiot when talking to the […]
Learning the Ropes: Jordan Brantley
Jordan Brantley and I have never met IRL, but we’ve got one of those serendipitous online friendships. We both were watching and tweeting along to one of Tara Gentile’s CreativeLive classes. I can’t remember which of us started the conversation, but we connected that day. And after a few Twitter conversations, we started exchanging emails. […]
2 factors to consider when you are afraid someone copied you
Likely one of your biggest business fears is waking up to an inbox full of emails letting you know that someone is selling a knockoff product. It’s enough to derail your entire month and send you into a rage spiral. And you’ll consider a host of ways to retaliate: shaming her online getting a lawyer […]
Learning the Ropes: Monica Lee
I don’t remember how Monica Lee and I first met, but she interviewed me for Smart Creative Women almost three years ago. Monica is one of my idols at infusing herself into her brand. And her new accessories line is a perfect example of her skill in doing this. Just looking at her products tells […]
Can I license my images that I post on social media?
Overwhelmed by all the legal to-dos? Click here to get a free legal tip each week in your inbox from your friendly legal eagle. With a cup of coffee in hand, you open up your laptop and sit cross-legged at the kitchen table. As the screen comes to life, your browser is open to your […]
Are you worried about selling on Handmade at Amazon?
There’s been lots of buzz lately over Handmade at Amazon. And almost every Facebook group I’m a part of has a thread about this new service. These threads cover the potential plusses and minuses, but also include a couple myths. I don’t see my role as helping you decide if something is a good or […]
Learning the Ropes: Kate Koeppel
Do you make a product your customers use? Great news! You can get instant access to a 45-minute workshop recording that not only explains which portions of your products are protected, but how to register your copyright in them! Get instant access! I met Kate Koeppel during my Makeshift Society residency shortly after I launched […]
How to restrict how I can use your sewing patterns, legally
I’m a huge knitter. I’ve always got a project going. In fact, right now I’m working on this cowl. I’ve got a shawl going as well, but the pattern is a bit involved and knitting one row seems to take forever, so I needed a break. I knit because it keeps my hands busy. Over […]
How to smoothly teach your clients about copyright
You are super proud of the work you did for a new design client. A couple months after you wrap up, you pop over to their website. You have a new project in the pipeline and so you want to take screenshots of your work in action for your portfolio. When you land on their […]
Learning the ropes: Maria Brophy
If you aren’t familiar with Maria Brophy, you should be. Maria has been helping her husband, Drew Brophy, run a successful art business for more than fifteen years. She’s also a super savvy businesswoman. And is always willing to share her wealth of experience and stories with creatives. Because she knows what it takes to […]
Learning the ropes: Tara Reed
I’m so excited to introduce a new interview series: learning the ropes. In it, I’ll be talking with creative entrepreneurs like you and discussing empowering and not-so-empowering experiences. They’ll be sharing a time when they learned the “legal” ropes in their business. Allowing you to learn the same lesson, without experiencing it. After each interview, […]
The difficulty of finding your images in somebody’s Instagram feed, it ain’t easy
Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of Internet discussion (and hopefully discussions over food) about appropriation art. These discussions can all be tied back to a single man, Richard Prince. This is not the first time that Price has been in the limelight over his work. And he has long been […]
Submitting your copyright registration application
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. The final steps: making […]
The ownership section of the eCo application
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. Explaining who created it […]
Ready to start your copyright application? How to begin
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. Picking the right copyright […]
Trademark Basics: Why we have trademarks + 3 things to consider
Ready to register your trademark? Great news! You can get instant access to a 37-minute workshop recording that not only explains the five steps required but breaks down why this is something I think you should invest in. Get instant access! We generally associate trademark law with brand owners. But what many people don’t realize […]
Can I use this quote on {fill in the blank}?
Probably the most common question I get is: Can I use this quote on {fill in the blank}? I wish I requested a dollar every time I answered it! Although then my bank teller might wonder why I started bringing in stacks of singles and that might be awkward. The serious answer to this question […]
Is it legal to trace source imagery?
This isn’t the post I intended to write this week. My editorial calendar has a post about visual inspiration and how these can lead to unintentional copying. How you can accidentally be a copycat. But then, Design*Sponge published an article about the ethics of copying and giving credit. If you haven’t read it yet, I […]
How do I decide if this contract is good for my business?
Understand if you should sign that contract Because you should never sign a contract you don’t understand! Enter your email to download a workbook that will help you decide if signing that contract a good idea. The workbook also outlines my contract review system and gives you a checklist to review your contract. Your privacy […]
Afraid that copycats are going to steal your work?
I know that many of you fret about posting your content online. That you sit at your computer looking at something you just created and feel torn. On one hand, you are so excited to share this with the world. On the other hand, you worry what will happen once you hit upload. This fear, […]
You can’t use someone else’s website as your own
Earlier this year I got an email from a friend who works as a coach. She was in a tizzy, because she had gotten this odd email from a stranger asking her about the status of their project. At first she freaked out because she thought she had dropped the ball on something. She looked […]
Stolen content? Decide what you can, can’t & shouldn’t do
Last time, I gave you an overview of when you can, can’t, and maybe shouldn’t act when you find your content used without your permission. This time I want to give you the exact procedure that I use to make this decision. And it’s all based on four simple questions that you only have to answer […]
“Don’t sign a contract you don’t understand”
Last week I got a call from a friend. The company behind the holiday show she was participating in had called her that morning. They were calling because they wanted to include her in the printed materials they would be handing out prior to the show. She asked a couple questions about what rights they […]
Help! My Work has been Stolen! How to send a DMCA Takedown Notice
We’ve talked about how to perform a reverse image search for an image you want to use on your blog. But what happens when you do this search for one of your own images and find a result you are not happy with? What if this use hurts your business? Help is just around the […]
Confused about fair use? This visual process makes it easier
If you’ve ever dug into copyright issues, I’m sure that you’ve heard of the term fair use. And I’m sure if you started to research it, you left that research session with a spinning head and more confused than when you began. This is because fair use is one of the most complicated copyright topics. […]
What Copyright Management Information is and why you should care about it
In Copyright Basics, I quickly mentioned that if you placed a copyright notice on a digital file and it was removed, that you might have an additional reason to sue your infringer. Today, I want to dive into this law and how it can help you protect and enforce your copyrights. What is Copyright Management […]
Copyright Basics
Do you need to register your copyrights? Learn why registration can mean the difference between getting something or nothing from your copycat. Get instant access to a 66-minute actionable workshop so you can understand the value of registration. Plus get access to the workshop slide deck and a best practices workbook. We are going to […]
Who took this photo? How to perform a reverse image search
So you don’t get a nasty letter, you need to know who created that blog post or image so you can ask permission and give credit where credit is due. When you are trying to search backwards to find the source, these searches are called “reverse searches.” Text based reverse searches are pretty darn easy. You can […]
