5 Copyright Myths That Can Get Creators Into Legal Trouble
If you create videos, write content, design visuals, or publish anything online—you’ve probably heard a lot of conflicting information about copyright. I’ve been there too. When I started creating, I thought I knew the rules. Turns out, some of those “rules” were nothing more than myths.
And believing in the wrong copyright myths? That can land you in hot water legally.
So let’s clear the air. These are five copyright myths I wish someone had busted for me sooner.
Myth #1: “If It’s on the Internet, I Can Use It”
I used to think, “It’s on Google, so it must be fair game.” Big mistake. Just because a photo, video, or blog is publicly viewable doesn’t mean it’s free to reuse.
Everything you see online is technically copyrighted the moment it’s created—unless the creator explicitly gave permission or used a Creative Commons license. Always check, or better yet, create your own content.
Myth #2: “I Gave Credit, So I’m Good”
Giving credit is respectful, but it doesn’t replace permission. Imagine someone walking into your house, taking your furniture, and leaving a note saying, “This belongs to Alex.” Would that be okay?
Of course not. Copyright works the same way. Giving attribution isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card. You still need legal rights to use someone else’s content.
Myth #3: “I Changed It, So It’s Mine Now”
This one trips up a lot of creatives. I once edited a photo I found online—cropped it, added filters, layered text. I figured it was now my “original.” But guess what? The foundation was still someone else’s copyrighted material.
Unless your changes transform the work substantially (which is rare), it’s still derivative and protected under the original creator’s rights.
Myth #4: “No Copyright Notice Means No Copyright”
This is a dangerous assumption. You don’t need to stamp a © symbol to have copyright protection. It’s automatic from the moment a work is fixed in a tangible form. That blog post, photo, song, or TikTok? It’s copyrighted the second you hit “publish.”
Don’t assume “unlabeled” equals “unprotected.”
Myth #5: “I’m Too Small to Get Sued”
I’ve heard creators say, “I’m just a small account—they won’t come after me.” But copyright enforcement doesn’t care about your follower count. Content owners use bots, firms, and legal services to monitor misuse. If you’re using someone else’s work illegally, even unintentionally, it can cost you—financially and reputationally.
Know the Law Before You Create
I’ve learned this the hard way: misunderstanding copyright can derail your creative freedom. That’s why I now double-check every piece of content I share, use, or repurpose.
If you want to dive deeper into copyright law in a way that’s actually digestible for creators, I recommend exploring Innovation Cafe’s copyright section. It’s been my go-to resource for creative law topics without the confusing legal jargon.