11 Methods to Make sure that your intellectual property is protected in Online Training
Editor's note: the content is for informational purposes only. You should consult with a certified legal professional prior to relying only on the suggestions provided in the article.
Content. Content is the heart of any knowledge-based and educational-based enterprise. It shows the world your expertise, gives your brand its voice and brings in your business income. Naturally, it is worthy of protection.
However, how can you handle the security of the intellectual property (IP) specifically in the light of the actuality of the internet's "sharing economy"sharing economy?" When even Hollywood with its top-of-the-line lawyers, cannot control illicit downloads piratey, file sharing, and other illegal downloads, how can you keep your IP secure as a content and course creator?
The realities of the web:
Even with all of today's technology, we simply cannot secure our IP. If the IP is uploaded online, it's at risk being stolen, copied or even accessed by those that haven't paid. That's a fact. If anyone really wants to have it, they will.
If your IP is utilized for illegitimacy in competing way, you have to take action in this issue. If someone uses your content, IP and name to take money out of your business, you must call your legal professionals immediately.
In the event that you react appropriately when your IP stolen excellent and great, setting safeguards is much better.
1. Create an Trademark
If you are really concerned about the protection of your IP, then it may be worth considering a Trademark. It's not suitable for every firm, and it's not cheap either. It is worth talking to an Trademark Attorney and asking their advice on what your options could be.
2. Print & mail your content to yourself
Print your entire courseincluding your curriculum plan, lesson plans and the content. You can then send your copy to yourself with tracking and delivered, after which you don't ever ever look at the file. If anyone ever reproduced the content you created and took it to court, you have the dated evidence of when your content was created and the length of time it's been around for. Simple, yet effective.
3. Time stamp your content
If you are sharing web-based content, remember that , if you share your content publically, it is confirmation that you have published the post in the first place! Every blog post includes an 'published' date written on it. Each YouTube video, Facebook status updates and live stream videos show the post's original date as well. If a replica article is published following the publication of your original, it's glaringly obvious which person got it.
4. Make sure you show your face
5. Watermark your content
Check that your company's name and/or your web address's URL or watermark is shown on your instructional videos as well as your documents. So, if the content has been shared illegally yet it has your logo as well as your face and web address on your content, it's you who receives the praise or credit from fans, as well as any business that might result from someone watching that content.
Here's an example watermarks I've put on some of my YouTube channels:
6. Make it common knowledge
If you have a 'saying", a strategy an approach, a method or anything that you think is to be yours, you shouldn't wonder how to package it and safeguard it. Instead, figure out a way to make it so big and so 'you', that no matter where and what it's being used for everyone knows you own it. Say it in every video, every blog post, on your site and in your signature email and in every interview you conduct and anywhere else you're get noticed. You can make it clear that you own it, but allow it to 'belong' to whoever wants to associate themselves in it. After all, that's how you build a tribe.
This is exactly the reason I came up with the term ' Edupreneurs' and defined ' Edupreneurship'. I wanted to become an unquestionably leader in something, but do so with the intention that I was able to give away something that people to take on as their own , an identity that is the their own, but which will always come back to me as the person who was responsible for initiating it in the first place.
7. Keep an eye out for plagiarism of your material
Simply keep a watch out for your belongings. I make use of Google Alerts, which is a completely free Google tool that allows users to type in different searches, like your name, as well as certain keywords and phrases that you use. Once set to go live, Google will email you every time those terms or words are published online - then you'll be able to look them up and see if you have taken a copyright, correctly referenced in a proper manner, or simply a random coincidence.
Additionally, you can employ plagiarism checking software to determine if your work has been duplicated anywhere. There are lots out there, but one of them that is worth mentioning Copyscape, where you could add the URL for your blog , for instance It will look through the web for similar information.
8. You should have a Copyright Policy
It is possible to create your own guidelines to guide and educate public on what's ok and what is not when it comes in relation to IP. Though this will not necessarily shield you legally, the education will help those looking to reference you fairly about how to reference you correctly. Simply write up a very detailed list of the things that you deem as 'ok' for referencing you, using your content and sharing or reproducing it, and the things that aren't. Set them up with some guidelines regarding the sorts of items they'll have to get your permission for and what they can perform without needing to ask to be granted written permission.
Consider adding a copyright symbol ((c)) or disclaimer with your content. Even though it's not providing any additional protection it can make people take a second look before reproducing it.
9. Your course should be truly beneficial for only one person
10. If you keep it in check and don't let it go, you're the culprit.
It's not difficult to slip into defensive mode, to safeguard our intellectual property and lock it all into a secret knowledge vault where it's 'safe from the pinchers'. However, don't hide the entirety of your knowledge, and stop all of your millions of potential customers from hearing the information, so only a few individuals don't know about the information. There's a certain amount of madness within this.
We are so enthralled in defending ourselves and forgetting about others who we are trying to assist by putting together programs in the first instance and then'stealing' their opportunity to learn. What is worse? the thousands of people who see their lives changed through your work, with only some people getting their hands on it 'on the market', or no one ever receiving your aid at all?
11. Never forget, no one can be you
The best thing about being human is that each of us is unique. People can copy our words and our writing style, as well as our concepts and services However, they will never become us.
People don't buy stuff, they buy people. Because people like people. The way we speak our words, how we dress and the sound of our voice, how we hold our bodies, what we remind people of, the way we make them feel in our non-verbal communication and much more of the subconscious subtleties which are the real reason behind every purchasing decision that we make are all aspects that will never ever be taken from us regardless of the effort of someone trying.
I'm fully aware of the reality that even with my ever-growing competition as well as the number of other people who are looking to take over my market with my own contents, they'll never ever be me, which implies they are never going to become a threat.
You is the most prominent mark of your IP and while it is important to keep half an eye open do not let the worry of having your IP copied stop your impact on the lives of others.
Sarah Cordiner is an education expert, author, and speaker, trainer, award winning online course creator and CEO of Main Training. With 11 years in business in the field of education with over 5,000 students spread across over 121 nations - Sarah encapsulates a mesmerizing marriage of education and entrepreneurship as the EDUpreneur's internationally acclaimed leader in the field of 'profitably teaching your market'.