What do Copyright trolls and Risk Management have to do with Public Image?
More than we would like.
Risk Management at RI recently let us know that Clubs continue to post images and other media (cartoons, songs, etc.) online in disregard of copyright laws. This disregard has a direct and costly result for all of us. Over 40% of the open claims against our Rotary Club & District liability Insurance pertain to copyright infringement.
Software applications that “troll” the internet looking for violations. When a violation is discovered, owners are contacted, and they make a demand to settle the violation. Failure to respond makes the situation worse.
It is your club’s responsibility to comply with copyright laws.
Take these steps to avoid receiving a notice of copyright infringement:
- Review your club’s social media accounts and websites and delete any content using images or other media where you do not have the copyright owner’s permission. This means everything-newsletters, bulletins, documents, forms, even if they are more than 10 years old.
- Contact Risk Management immediately if your club receives a notice of copyright infringement.
Then from Now On:
- Instead of “lifting” images or other media of the internet, use images or media created by members of your club (WITH THEIR PERMISSION) or use the Rotary Brand Center.
- Never, NEVER, use images or other media without permission.
- Purchase images or other media online.
- Consult the U.S. Copyright Office’s website. https://copyright.gov/
Lynn Perez-Hewitt
District 6250 Public Image Chair 2020-2024
perezhewitt@hceonline.com