Blogging has gone from hobby to profession — but the “everything free to download is legal” attitude lands bloggers in trouble. Whether you’re starting a blog or already run one, here’s how to keep it IP-friendly.
Copyright: write in your own words
Writing is hard, especially starting out — and the temptation to Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V someone else’s article is real. That’s copyright infringement and plagiarism (passing off another’s work as your own). “No one reads my blog” is no defence — copyright law treats publishing as making a work available to people. So write in your own words, or credit the owner of anything you quote — including song lyrics and book passages. Even if it seems obvious the words aren’t yours, a clear mention (an endnote) is ideal.
Images: check the usage rights
Adding an image makes a post more engaging — and images are easy to grab from Google. But photographs are copyright works, and using one without permission infringes. The same debate surrounds GIFs.
How to use images properly:
- use images labelled “free to use”;
- Creative Commons and Wikimedia Commons offer images — give the owner due credit (a simple “image from here” with a link suffices); and
- in Google Images, filter to show only images labelled for reuse.
Trademarks: mind the blog name and logos
The most likely trademark trouble is the blog’s name. Chasing a catchy name from a song, movie or book can mean using a trademarked phrase — “Lonely Planet” for a travel blog, or “Finger Lickin’ Good” for a food blog, would infringe Lonely Planet’s and KFC’s marks. Using brand logos on your blog can also cause trouble — especially if they suggest a non-existent affiliation with the brand.
Originality is the key
Fear of infringement shouldn’t stop you writing what you love — the easiest, surest route is to keep your blog original. A blog reflects you — let your words speak. For images, upload your own photos: they may not be as polished as a Google image, but they make the blog truly personal and tell your story. Take your blog seriously, and you’ll naturally start respecting others’ IP — a copyright in your own amateur writing and photos beats infringing someone else’s to look good.
The takeaways
- Write original text or credit sources — “no one reads it” is no defence.
- Clear or credit images — use “free to use”, Creative Commons/Wikimedia (with credit), or Google’s reuse filter.
- Avoid trademarked names/logos — and never imply a false brand affiliation.
- Originality is safest — your own words and photos keep the blog IP-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
Is copying content to my blog infringement even if no one reads it? Yes — publishing means making a work available to people, so copying without permission or credit is copyright infringement regardless of readership.
Can I use images from Google on my blog? Only if you have the rights — photographs are copyright works; use “free to use” images, Creative Commons/Wikimedia (with credit), or Google’s “labelled for reuse” filter.
Can my blog’s name infringe a trademark? Yes — using a trademarked phrase (like “Lonely Planet” or “Finger Lickin’ Good”) as your blog name can infringe, as can using brand logos to imply a false affiliation.
What’s the safest way to keep my blog IP-friendly? Keep it original — write in your own words and use your own photos, crediting any third-party material you rely on.
Useful official resources
- The Copyright Act, 1957
- Creative Commons