The Think Media Podcast 418: How Brands Legally Steal Your Content...
12 snips
Jun 3, 2025 
Tyler Chou, a seasoned attorney and advocate for creators, shares critical insights on how brands can exploit creators through legal loopholes. He discusses the importance of negotiating clear contract terms, especially around usage rights and moral rights. Chou emphasizes safeguarding one’s intellectual property and understanding indemnification in brand deals. The conversation provides valuable tips on navigating brand partnerships, advocating for fair contracts, and championing financial awareness in the creator economy.
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Negotiate Usage Rights Wisely
- Always negotiate usage rights including time and compensation to protect your content from perpetual brand usage.
- Avoid standard perpetual, royalty-free, and worldwide usage without payment clauses in contracts.
Retain Content Ownership
- Ensure brand deal contracts state that you own the content and brands get limited, licensed usage rights.
- Push back on full ownership transfer clauses to keep rights over your footage and images.
Negotiate Exclusivity Fairly
- Carefully negotiate exclusivity clauses; ask how long and demand fair compensation for lost opportunities.
- Limit exclusivity terms to 30 days or 3 months unless brands pay significantly more.
