If you have a YouTube channel, you are running an entertainment business. All entertainment businesses should be concerned about their intellectual property and the freedom of speech. If you currently or plan to operate a YouTube channel, here is a brief summary of some IP and first amendment issues of which you should be aware:
Copyright
As soon as you create a video and publish it on YouTube, you (or whatever entity you have formed) own the video’s copyright. You can reproduce it, license it, and exercise any right allowed by copyright law. If you ever need to sue for copyright infringement, you cannot do so unless the video is registered with the Copyright Office. And if you timely register your videos, you could recover statutory damages and attorney’s fees in your lawsuit.
Trademark
Your YouTube name is essentially a trademark. It’s used in association with a service (entertainment usually) and goods (if you sell merchandise with that name). Furthermore, any slogans you create on your channel could be potentially registered for a federal trademark.
Image: YouTube logo by Rego Korosi (licensed under CC License 2.0)
