Mine, Not Yours! Intellectual Property for Online Business
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m telling you about intellectual property for online business.
Big words! But it really means: things people make with their brains, and who they belong to. Grown-ups often just say “IP.” And it matters from the very first picture you post!
Lynnie’s little note: This is just for learning. It’s not real legal advice for your business. Please ask a grown-up lawyer to check your own documents!
Why it matters
Even if you’re not earning money yet, you have to respect other people’s IP. Using someone’s work, brand, invention or secret info without asking can get you into legal trouble. Even if you didn’t make any money from it!
And besides the rules, respecting other people’s work is just the right thing to do.
Two sides
Side one: knowing about IP keeps you out of trouble.
Side two: as you build your brand and make your own products, YOUR ideas become valuable too! When your business grows, you might want to protect them. But at the start, just knowing the basics is enough.
The four kinds
1. Copyright. It protects things people create, like pictures, videos and texts. Only use things you made yourself, things you have permission for, or things from places that say you can use them for business. Using somebody’s work without asking can mean you have to take it down, or even pay money!
2. Trademarks. They protect what makes a business recognizable. Like brand names, logos and special product names. Don’t use another brand’s name in a way that could confuse people. Like naming your shop so people think it belongs to a famous brand! Before you pick your business name, search online and in your country’s trademark list. That simple check can save you from renaming everything later.
3. Patents. They protect new inventions that aren’t obvious. If you make new, clever products, check if somebody already has a patent. Most beginners selling simple things or files won’t need to think about this much.
4. Trade secrets. Secret info that’s valuable to a business. Like special supplier contacts, or a secret recipe! Keep a list of your own secret stuff and keep it safe. And if someone shares a secret with you under a promise not to tell (grown-ups call it a non-disclosure agreement), keep the promise!
Quick checklist
- Do I own, have a license for, or have permission for every picture, video and text I post?
- Did I check the rules of each stock website I use?
- Does my business name or logo look too much like another brand?
- Do I keep secret info safe, mine and other people’s?
- Do I say when a picture was made by AI, where it makes sense?
All yes? You’ve got the basics! You can learn the details as you grow.
Protected and private
Your products, designs and content belong to you, even if your face never shows up online. A private business can still have a strong, protected brand!
What’s next?
The next article starts the safety part of Lesson T4: protecting yourself and others online. The whole lesson is in the book on our products page. Want a grown-up to help protect your business name? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
Are there step-by-step lessons for starting each of the ten ways cheaply?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
Do IP rules count if I’m not earning money yet?
Yes! Using someone’s work without asking can cause trouble anyway.
What’s the difference between copyright and a trademark?
Copyright protects things people create. A trademark protects names and logos.
Can I use any picture I find on Google?
No! Only your own, ones with permission, or ones from places that allow business use.
When should I protect my own brand?
When it grows and becomes more valuable. A lawyer can help you decide.
Where can I get help if I don’t have much money?
Lynnaider shows you how to start each of the ten ways for free, or for very, very little money. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step!
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
