When caught red-handed, content thieves on the internet might say this to the author:
“Online resources are public property.”

It’s frustrating to hear, but they’re not entirely wrong. In today’s age, where digital content is created in a flood, it’s hard to claim that anything is truly original. Understanding this, at Vietcetera, in addition to our personal opinions, we also draw from a wide range of sources to back up the points in our articles.

However, Vietcetera always ensures that if we borrow someone’s perspective, we guide readers to the source of that intellectual property.

The more unique, in-depth, and educational/entertaining a piece of content is, the more likely it is to be stolen. There will always be individuals 'lurking' in search of ways to appropriate the intellectual property that you have diligently researched, analyzed, and created in order to:

• Attract the audience without significant effort.
• Climb the SEO ranks on search engines without significant effort.
• Increase brand visibility without significant effort.
• Boost engagement and generate leads without significant effort.
• Enhance the perceived depth and intelligence of their platform without significant effort.

Therefore, consider the following methods for protecting your content and intellectual property BEFORE you create it.

1. Develop A Distinct And Recognizable Creative Style That Reflects Your Personal Brand.

This is the most proactive and effective step one can take to protect the originality of their work.

Creating your unique creative style isn’t easy, but it’s like a ‘killing two birds with one stone’ solution. A product with a distinct personal touch not only safeguards your intellectual property in a lasting and meaningful way, but also offers a more engaging experience for your audience, and challenges you to grow and evolve as a creative professional.

At this point, creative identity becomes both a spear and a shield. Take, for example, how renowned film directors like Wes Anderson or Tim Burton have crafted unmistakable stylistic signatures, which will be explored further in this article.

And the only way to truly develop and express your unique style? Practice, practice, and more practice.

Additionally, there are a few tips to help you weave more personal elements into your content (in the case for written content):

• Imagine you’re having a conversation—or exchanging messages—with a friend as you write.
• Pay attention to the exclamations and phrases you naturally use in everyday conversation, and consider incorporating them into your writing.
• Approach the topic with a clear point of view, while maintaining a relaxed and accepting attitude toward your own creative identity.

2. Use A Copyright Symbol On Your Platform ©

Your original content is protected by copyright and the © symbol the moment you create it.

However, not everyone on the internet is fully aware of their obligations towards the intellectual property of others. Therefore, the copyright symbol (©), placed at the bottom of the page, serves as a gentle reminder to everyone that the content on the page is owned by you, or your organization.

For visual products (images, videos, illustrations, etc.), use a unique watermark to prevent others from stealing your work. Additionally, you can include a line such as: “Copyrighted work belonging to [X], please do not copy or edit in any form.”

3. Research Software Plug-in Services That Can Be Used On Your Platform ©

Plug-in software can be understood as tools integrated into websites to expand their functionality. Many content producers use the WordPress platform, which offers various plug-ins to help protect content copyright on the site. For example, the WP Content Copy Protection & No Right Click plug-in prevents users from right-clicking or using shortcut keys to copy content. Additionally, there are other plug-ins available to help safeguard your content.

You can also use the DMCA content protection service. The DMCA badge serves as a deterrent, making potential "thieves" think twice before taking action. Furthermore, the DMCA can detect and notify you if someone uses your content without permission, and it can even help remove the infringing content from the violating platform.

4. Check Copyright Law ©

Almost everything we do is governed by a set of laws that clearly outline rights and obligations. For creative work, refer to Intellectual Property Law. You don’t need to memorize it, but knowing how to consult the law will help you avoid unintentionally infringing on others' intellectual property and, in turn, protect your own creations.

Moreover, in the event of a dispute, those who are familiar with the law are more likely to speak with confidence!

Conclusion ©

Seeing the products you've meticulously created being copied and distorted is certainly an uncomfortable feeling. It is even worse when these works are often “accidentally taken” by others in the same field, who mistakenly believe they are “in the same boat.”

Of course, unintentionally infringing on someone else's intellectual property in this vast ocean of information is quite easy to do. Therefore, if you are a content creator, it's important to be prepared for the possibility of a copyright infringement claim one day.

There are many other ways to protect your content, and the methods outlined above are just the basic steps that you can easily apply. We sincerely hope that your intellectual property is respected by your audience and protected by you, the creator.

If you have any additional methods, feel free to share them with Vietcetera and fellow creatives in the comments section below!

©