Legal Protections for Your Podcast
Guest Post
No one expects legal problems when they start a podcast. Yet as your podcast blows up, the risk of legal issues increases. And if you're not careful, you risk costly and time-intensive legal problems that hamper your podcast's success.
Do not wait for legal problems to crop up. Instead, start planning how to protect your podcast today. With a proactive approach to legal problems, you're well-equipped to get the most out of your podcast.
Common Legal Issues for Podcasters
You need to manage your podcast in accordance with the law. To do so, account for common podcast legal issues, such as:
1. Music Use
You need permission to use copyrighted music. On the other hand, you can purchase stock music for a fee. If you do so, you must follow the stock music company's terms and conditions.
2. Image Use
Art and other images can be copyrighted. If you want to use a copyrighted image to promote your podcast, contact the image owner. Next, you can work with the owner to get their permission and ensure this individual receives proper attribution.
3. Ownership Rights
You may have limited ownership rights based on where you host your podcast. Thus, you need to read your podcast host's terms and conditions carefully.
4. Guest Agreements
If you intend to have a guest on your podcast, ask him or her to sign an agreement in advance. This agreement confirms your guest's participation in your podcast and explains how you will use the content. It can also minimize your risk of a lawsuit if your guest later claims you published an interview or other content with their consent.
Generally, it helps to consult with an attorney as you develop and launch your podcast. An attorney can teach you about trademark infringement and other legal problems that affect podcasters. Plus, an attorney can help you get your podcast off the ground, without putting you in legal danger.
Treat Your Podcast Like a Business
The best businesses plan for the worst-case scenarios. Run your podcast the same way. This requires you to account for legal problems before they occur. That way, you can minimize the impact of these issues. Or, you may be able to avoid them altogether.
A top-notch business has a brand all its own. Meanwhile, you can create a unique name for your podcast. This name can set the stage for your branding and marketing efforts. It can help you distinguish your podcast from all others, too.
Conduct research as you try to figure out the right name for your podcast. Look at rival podcasts to ensure your name is distinct. If so, you can set up a website and other web content for your podcast that includes. You can create an LLC for your podcast.
Like any well-managed business, you should set clear-cut goals for your podcast as well. SMART goals can be beneficial; these are specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-bound. Once you have podcast goals in place, determine what steps you'll need to accomplish. From here, you can account for legal problems that may arise and plan ahead. Then, monitor your progress as you work toward accomplishing your podcast goals.
Track and Report Your Podcast Income
If you launch a great podcast, it won't take long to draw listeners. Furthermore, you may find you earn substantial podcast revenues — and you need to report them accordingly.
Podcast income is taxable. The IRS provides tools and resources to help you report your taxable income. In addition, it offers insights into tax deductions for podcasters.
You may be able to deduct the costs of advertising, production, software subscriptions, and other podcast expenses at tax time. As such, track every dollar you spend on your podcast. At the same time, monitor how much you earn with podcasting. This allows you to assess your podcast's success. And when tax time arrives, you can file your taxes and avoid IRS penalties.
Taxes for podcasting can be difficult to understand, but help is available. By partnering with an accountant, you can receive expert assistance as you earn income from your podcast and prepare your taxes. Your accountant can help you track your podcast earnings and expenses. This professional can also help you maximize your tax deductions.
Remain Diligent to Protect Your Podcast Against Legal Issues
Keep legal issues front and center as you manage your podcast. Remember, legal problems won't disappear on their own. However, if you keep an eye out for legal problems, you can minimize or avoid them.
Finally, if someone files a legal claim against you, try not to stress about it. At this point, consult with an attorney to determine the best course of action. You and your attorney can then work together to resolve the legal problem as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Do your part to produce a podcast that hits the mark with listeners. But do not ignore potential legal problems along the way. Prepare for such issues and address them any time they arise. In doing so, you can manage a podcast that engages listeners and meets various legal requirements.
About the Author
Dan Matthews is a writer, content consultant, and conservationist. While Dan writes on a variety of topics, he loves to focus on the topics that look inward to help develop one's self, in turn developing mankind to make the surrounding world a better place to reside. When Dan isn't working on new content, you can find him with a coffee cup in one hand and searching for new music in the other.
Disclaimer: The author is not a lawyer. This blog post is not intended to be taken as legal advice. Please seek the advice of a qualified legal professional.
Photo by George Milton from Pexels