You’re scrolling Instagram or Pinterest and see the perfect quote, photo, or graphic for your business. You think, “This would look amazing in my course or marketing!”
But hold up. Just because something is online doesn’t mean it’s free to use.
If you’re running a digital business, understanding content reuse laws is a must. Otherwise, you could face takedown notices, blocked accounts, or even legal action.
What Does It Mean to Reuse Content?
It means taking content you didn’t create—like an image, caption, or design—and using it in your business. Common examples:
● Downloading Pinterest graphics for your course materials
● Copying Instagram captions for your social media posts
● Using another creator’s layout or template for your digital products
Even if you “tweak” it a little, if it’s not original or licensed—you’re at risk.
What You Can’t Do Without Permission
● Use copyrighted images in your digital course or site
● Copy another creator’s caption or blog post
● Sell products using someone else’s design or quote
● Recreate a look or layout without giving credit
These are all potential copyright violations, and the penalties can include:
● Content removal
● Account bans
● Legal claims
What You Can Do Legally
● Share a post using Instagram’s “Repost” feature (with credit and no edits)● Use royalty-free or Creative Commons images (e.g., from Pexels or Unsplash)
● Quote well-known phrases with attribution if not monetized
● Create original content inspired by others — not copied
Golden Rule: If you didn’t create it or buy a license for it, don’t use it as if you did.
Best Practices for Digital Business Owners
● Use your own content — photos, designs, and voice
● Invest in legal-use templates or graphics
● Always credit when quoting or resharing
● Read each platform’s terms of use before reusing
● Protect your own content too!
Don’t let one repost get your account flagged — or worse, sued.
Download your free Legal Audit for Online Businesses and get clear on what you can legally reuse, what’s off-limits, and how to protect your own content like a pro.
