Welcome to Short Podcasting Tips by Podcast Branding.

Simple advice to help your podcast succeed.

Episode 17: Respect Copyright Laws: 

Podcasting may seem like the wild frontier. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t rules you need to follow, especially when it comes to copyright.

Before you embark on your podcasting journey, be sure to protect yourself from potential lawsuits.

The first rule to remember is if it’s popular, it’s probably protected.

That means you can’t play your favourite song from AC/DC, Beyoncé, Tim McGraw or Hans Zimmer on your show. Doing so can land you in costly trouble.

Even short clips are not allowed. And don’t fall for the “Fair Use defence” trap. Fair use is not permission; it’s a defence you use in court after you’ve been sued, which is risky and can be costly.

Once again, the best rule to follow is that if it’s popular, it’s probably protected.

But copyright isn’t just about music. 

You should do your due diligence to ensure the title you chose for your show isn’t already copyrighted. 

You do not want to build up a successful podcast only to receive a letter from a lawyer telling you to stop using your title.

The same applies to your artwork. Some less reputable “designers” have no qualms about using copyrighted material in the artwork they charge you for.

I know several good designers who have had their work stolen for this very purpose.

And should something come of it, you’re the liable one, not the designer. 

If you design your own artwork, be sure you have the proper licences for the assets you use. This means you should not copy images from Google searches.

Play by the rules! Respect copyright laws by avoiding using copyrighted material without proper licensing or permission. Protect your podcast from legal issues and maintain ethical content creation.

Luckily, when you hire Podcast Branding, you don’t have to worry about copyright issues. Everything I design is unique and properly licensed.

Visit podcastbranding.co, to see everything I offer, including podcast cover artwork, logos and websites.

I would love to work with you to develop your podcast’s brand.

After all, they see you before they hear you.

Mark Des Cotes

Podcast Branding Specialist