Your Legal Questions about Content Curation Answered in 140 Characters or Less

On June 29, PRSA Pittsburgh hosted a panel discussion that included three legal professionals from The Webb Law Firm to answer any questions communication professionals had when it comes to creating and sharing content. 

PRSA Pittsburgh Chapter members filled The Rivers Club and came prepared with questions about the somewhat “frightening” thought of coordinating with your company’s legal team when a creative idea for content arises. The event sparked some interesting discussions and by the end of the session, the panel cleared away any confusion.

In case you missed the event, we curated a few of the best questions and answers from the morning’s session in this post. Let us know your thoughts on the answers provided in the comments below or use the hashtag #prsapgh to continue the conversation on Twitter!

1. What if a celebrity tweets that they really like your brand or certain product? Can you retweet their post or do I need permission?

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>&quot;What if a celeb tweets that they like your product/brand? Can you retweet that?&quot; &quot;Because of Twitter&#39;s terms &amp; agreements, yes.&quot; <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/prsapgh?src=hash”>#prsapgh</a></p>&mdash; PRSA Pittsburgh (@PRSAPgh) <a href=”https://twitter.com/PRSAPgh/status/748138623464259585″>June 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Retweeting is fine, but not when you add content to it to endorse your own brand <a href=”https://twitter.com/PRSAPgh”>@PRSAPgh</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/socialmedialaw?src=hash”>#socialmedialaw</a></p>&mdash; Amanda Hardt (@hardtamanda) <a href=”https://twitter.com/hardtamanda/status/748138669186351104″>June 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>The legal liability from your social content is based on intent. <a href=”https://twitter.com/PRSAPgh”>@PRSAPgh</a></p>&mdash; Meredith Klein (@MereKlein) <a href=”https://twitter.com/MereKlein/status/748142087544143873″>June 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

 It is always good to ask permission before retweeting, but if you are doing so without adding commercial value or altering the original intended message, it is OK to retweet!

2. Jimmy Fallon’s skit the other night on his TV show would be perfect for our brand to share, but are we allowed to use the video?

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>If you find a video your company wants to share, embed the link &amp; attribute. It&#39;s problematic when you add commercial value. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/prsapgh?src=hash”>#prsapgh</a></p>&mdash; PRSA Pittsburgh (@PRSAPgh) <a href=”https://twitter.com/PRSAPgh/status/748141748812013569″>June 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Embedding vs screen grabs, you&#39;re still protected under that social media channels rights, whereas a screen grab is not <a href=”https://twitter.com/PRSAPgh”>@PRSAPgh</a></p>&mdash; Amanda Hardt (@hardtamanda) <a href=”https://twitter.com/hardtamanda/status/748141074003206144″>June 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

3. Our company has a huge Steelers fan base and we had an office party to celebrate their latest win. Are we allowed to share an image of The Terrible Towel and employees in their official Steelers jerseys?

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Once you own something &amp; that logo shows up that&#39;s fair use, ex employees wear black/gold &amp; you share that on social w/ <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/gosteelers?src=hash”>#gosteelers</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/prsapgh?src=hash”>#prsapgh</a></p>&mdash; Amanda Hardt (@hardtamanda) <a href=”https://twitter.com/hardtamanda/status/748144319165513728″>June 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

 

For more information on content curation and whether or not you can fall into legal trouble, take a look at The Webb Law FirmPRSA’s informational guide about copyright or visit lawyer, blogger and speaker Kerry O’Shea Gorgone’s blog that discusses legal issues social media marketers can face.

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave the field below empty!