As a small business owner, you invest time and effort into creating valuable assets for your company. It is crucial to protect your intellectual property from unauthorized use, especially in an era where advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) pose new risks. Here are some ways small businesses can safeguard their creations and retain control over their intellectual property, and how Zibster can help.

AI-powered tools have made significant progress in recent years, allowing for the automatic removal of watermarks from images. This poses a significant challenge for creatives who rely on watermarks to identify and protect their work. As AI tools become increasingly sophisticated, it is essential for creators to adopt proactive strategies to defend their intellectual property.

Consider implementing digital contracts, such as those provided by platforms like Zibster, to legitimize sales and protect against potential misuse. These contracts serve as legally binding agreements between you and your clients, defining the terms of asset usage and setting limitations on reproduction, distribution, or alteration. By incorporating digital contracts into your business practices, you can establish clear guidelines and deter clients from infringing upon your intellectual property.

When sharing digital assets, such as images or documents, consider strategically adding watermarks. Avoid placing watermarks near the edges where they can be easily cropped out. Instead, position them in a prominent area without detracting from the asset's visual appeal.

When using Zibster’s Mood Boards, you can apply watermarks to your images and adjust the transparency of the watermark to balance protection and aesthetic appeal. If you sell products through Zibster’s online store, you may want to upload your product images with a watermark already embedded in the image.

When sharing your digital assets, either online through your website or sending them directly to clients, consider distributing low-resolution versions. While this may not completely prevent unauthorized use, it can discourage individuals from utilizing high-quality versions for commercial purposes or reproduction.

Stay vigilant and monitor the use of your assets. If you discover unauthorized use, take action by contacting the offender directly. Politely request that they cease using your assets and provide evidence of your ownership, such as original files or copyright registration. If necessary, consult with a legal professional to send a formal cease-and-desist letter or pursue appropriate legal actions, such as filing a copyright infringement lawsuit.

Despite taking precautions, it is still possible for individuals to attempt to remove watermarks from your images and other digital files. If you discover unauthorized use of your work, consider the following steps:

Contact the offender

Start by reaching out to the party using your work without permission. Politely ask them to cease using your work immediately and provide evidence of ownership, such as original files or copyright registration.

Cease-and-desist letter

If your initial contact fails to resolve the issue, consult with a legal professional to draft a formal cease-and-desist letter. This letter will reinforce your rights and put the offender on notice to stop using your images.

Legal action

If the unauthorized use continues despite your efforts, consult with an attorney specializing in copyright or intellectual property law. They can guide you on the appropriate legal actions to take, such as pursuing a copyright infringement lawsuit.

Protecting your business's assets from unauthorized use is crucial. While watermark removal using AI tools poses a challenge, creatives can adopt various protective measures to deter infringers. Utilizing digital contracts, such as those executed with Zibster’s forms tool, is a powerful strategy to legitimize sales, set clear terms, and protect against misuse.