It’s safe to say that we are in the era of online business and while I LOVE seeing people start their businesses and finally do the thing that they’ve dreamed about for a long time, what I DON’T love is the amount of content theft that I see all. the. time. 

It’s so disheartening to see people steal not only ideas from other creators, but actual work that someone has poured their heart and soul into. Things like website copy, full on courses or programs, social media graphics, and other styles of work all for financial gain. 

Unfortunately, many business owners and creators don’t realize how vulnerable their intellectual property (IP) is until it happens to them. And you’d probably be surprised by how often this happens. 

As a lawyer for creative business owners and service providers, I get questions about this all the time because when it happens to you, it can be hard to know how to navigate it. 

That’s why in this blog post I’m walking you through some of the most common copyright infringement scenarios that I see happen in the online business world and, most importantly, I’m sharing a step by step process on how to handle each of them, complete with a cease and desist letter template that you can use!

What To Do When Someone Copies Your Work as an Online Business Owner

Website Copy or Blog Posts

As an online business owner, you likely have a website that you spent HOURS writing and designing (or spent some serious money to have someone write and/or design for you), only to find someone has lifted your words and pasted them onto their own site to use as their own.

This is one of the most common and frustrating forms of content theft because it can directly impact your brand and search engine rankings. Whether they’ve stolen your actual website copy or even something like your blog content, it can be so upsetting to find that someone has done this as a business owner. 

How to Handle It:

• Take screenshots of the copied content and document the URLs before you ever contact them (this allows you to have evidence in case they change the pages or delete them altogether)
• Use online plagiarism checkers like Copyscape to verify the extent of the duplication
• Contact the website owner with a Cease and Desist letter, formally demanding they remove your content
• If they ignore your request, file a DMCA takedown notice with their web hosting provider or Google to have the stolen content removed from search results

Course Materials or Digital Products 

In addition to your website copy or blog posts, another common threat to digital product creators is unauthorized distribution of their course materials or digital products. Whether someone is selling your course as their own or offering your digital products for free on their website,  this can severely impact your revenue and credibility.

How to Handle It:

• Gather proof, such as screenshots and purchase records, showing that your content has been stolen
• Send a Cease and Desist letter to the infringer, demanding immediate removal
• If your content is being sold on platforms like Etsy, report the violation directly to them
• If you haven’t already, add watermarks and copyright notices on your digital products to deter future theft

Photos or Graphics

If you’re a photographer, graphic designer, or brand owner, you’ve likely encountered image theft. Whether someone is using your photos on their website or social media without crediting you, this is a direct violation of your copyright.

How to Handle It:

• Use tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to track where your images are being used online
• Contact the individual or business and politely request that they either remove the image or give proper credit
• If they refuse, escalate the situation with a Cease and Desist letter or a DMCA takedown request
• If the image theft is happening on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, report it to the platform directly

Branding or Business Name

As a business owner, your branding is everything. It’s often the thing that helps people recognize you and your business and helps set you apart from others in your industry. If a competitor copies your business name, logo, or tagline, it can cause confusion and dilute your brand’s reputation.

This form of infringement can be tricky because it often falls under trademark law rather than copyright – here’s the difference!

How to Handle It:

• Check if you have officially trademarked your business name or logo – if not, consider doing so to strengthen your legal position
• Contact the infringer and inform them of the issue, requesting that they stop using your branding
• If they refuse, you’ll likely want to consult with a lawyer since trademark infringement matters are typically multifaceted and can require experienced legal guidance on how to handle

Social Media Content

Lastly, it’s common for businesses and influencers to find their social media posts copied, reposted, or used without permission. While sharing content with credit is often encouraged, outright theft is not.

How to Handle It:

• Reach out to the individual and request proper credit or removal (totally your preference)
• Report copyright violations directly to social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok
• If theft is ongoing, consider watermarking your social media images

Protect Your Work with a Ready-to-Use Cease and Desist Letter

In all of these scenarios, a Cease and Desist letter is often the first (and most effective) course of action. This legal document formally demands that the infringer stop using your copyrighted material and remove it immediately. It also serves as the beginning of a paper trail should legal action become necessary.

While you can always attempt to deal with the situation through DMs or emails, a Cease and Desist letter ultimately shows that you’re serious about protecting your work. And the best part? You don’t need to draft one from scratch!

With TBL’s Cease and Desist Letter Template, you can have a simple copy-and-paste legal document right at your fingertips if or when you need it. This makes it easier for you to assert your rights and protect your intellectual property!

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