Your Ultimate 8-Point Copyright Checklist for Online Course Creators

So you’ve poured your heart and soul into creating an amazing online course. The videos are edited, the worksheets are polished, and you’re ready to share your expertise with the world. I get it, the last thing on your mind is legal jargon.

But trust me, taking a moment to handle copyright correctly now will save you massive headaches later on.

Running a successful course or membership site is about building a sustainable, professional business. Ignoring copyright is like building a house on a shaky foundation. It might look good for a while, but it’s bound to cause problems down the road, from takedown notices to legal disputes that could sink your entire operation.

Protecting your intellectual property, and respecting the property of others, is a fundamental part of being a serious creator.

That’s why I put together this comprehensive Copyright Checklist for Online Course Creators. This is about giving you a clear, actionable plan to protect your hard work and confidently use third-party materials without getting into trouble. Think of it as your step-by-step guide to building that strong foundation.

We’ll walk through everything you need to know, from auditing your content and securing licenses to setting up proper policies and handling potential violations. We will cover 8 crucial steps, one by one, to make sure you’re good to go before you hit that publish button.

Let’s dive in and get this sorted.

1. Audit All Course Content for Third-Party Materials

Before you even think about hitting that “publish” button, the very first step in any robust copyright checklist for online course creators is a full-scale content audit. Think of it as taking inventory of your digital classroom. You need to meticulously review every single piece of content you didn’t create yourself.

This audit is your first line of defense against copyright infringement claims. It involves identifying and cataloging every third-party asset you’ve used, from the background music in your intro video to a single stock photo in a presentation slide.

Why This Audit is Non-Negotiable

Ignoring this step can lead to serious consequences, including takedown notices, platform suspension, or even legal action. Major course platforms are cracking down on this. For instance, Udemy’s creator compliance program actively flags courses with unlicensed content, and platforms like Teachable and Kajabi are increasingly requiring documentation of content rights during the upload process. They want to see that you’ve done your homework.

How to Conduct Your Content Audit

The best way to tackle this is with a systematic approach. I recommend creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything. This isn’t just a one-and-done task, it should be an integral part of your course creation workflow.

Here’s a practical template for your audit spreadsheet:

Asset Name: A simple description (e.g., “Lesson 3 marketing graphic”).
Asset Type: Image, video clip, audio file, text excerpt, etc.
Source URL: The direct link where you found the asset.
Copyright Owner: The name of the creator or company.
License Type: The specific license (e.g., Creative Commons CC0, Royalty-Free, Standard License).
Attribution Required: A simple Yes/No, plus the exact text for attribution if needed.
Proof of License: A link to your saved screenshot or the license agreement file in your cloud storage.
Date Verified: The date you confirmed the license details.

Pro Tip: Start this audit at least two to three months before your planned launch. This buffer gives you crucial time to find replacement assets or negotiate licenses for any materials that don’t have clear usage rights, preventing last-minute scrambles and launch delays.

2. Obtain Proper Licenses or Permissions for All Copyrighted Materials

Once you’ve audited your content and identified all third-party materials, the next critical step in a sound copyright checklist for online course creators is securing the rights to use them. This is the legal backbone that supports your course’s integrity. Simply finding an image or a song online doesn’t grant you the right to use it in your commercial product.

You must obtain explicit, written permission or the correct license for every single copyrighted element. This process involves purchasing licenses from stock asset websites like Shutterstock or Getty Images, getting a permission letter directly from a creator, or using content under specific Creative Commons licenses that permit commercial use.

Laptop with image gallery, pen, and notebook on a wooden desk, emphasizing 'Licensed Content'.

Why This is Non-Negotiable

Failing to secure proper licenses puts you at direct risk of infringement. The copyright owner can issue a takedown notice, demand payment, or file a lawsuit. For example, Skillshare creators often use services like Epidemic Sound, which provides a premium license for about $9.99 a month, to legally use music in their video lessons. This small investment prevents massive legal headaches down the road.

Similarly, platforms like LinkedIn Learning and MasterClass build their entire business models on enterprise-level licensing agreements, ensuring all content is fully compliant.

How to Secure and Manage Your Licenses

Your goal is to have a clear, documented “paper trail” for every piece of third-party content. Don’t rely on assumptions. A license for “personal use” is not the same as one for commercial use in a course you sell.

Here are some practical steps for managing this process:

Prioritize Royalty-Free and Creative Commons: Start your search on sites offering royalty-free or specific Creative Commons (like CC0 or CC BY) licenses. These are often the most straightforward and cost-effective options for course creators.
Verify Commercial Use Rights: Read the license terms carefully. Does it permit “commercial use”? Your online course is a commercial product, so this is essential.
Keep Meticulous Records: Save a copy of every license agreement and receipt. Store them in a dedicated folder in your cloud storage, linked directly from the content audit spreadsheet you created in step one.
Negotiate Bulk Deals: If you plan to use many assets from one provider, like Adobe Stock, reach out to them. You may be able to negotiate a bulk licensing deal that saves you money.
Track Renewal Dates: Some licenses, especially for software or music subscriptions, expire. I recommend setting calendar reminders 60 days before a license is set to renew to avoid any gaps in authorization.

Pro Tip: When you’re considering an expensive license for a single asset, ask yourself if it’s truly essential. Often, a more affordable or free alternative exists that can achieve the same instructional goal without straining your budget. Due diligence here saves both money and future legal troubles.

3. Create Original Content and Properly Attribute External Sources

The strongest foundation for a legally sound online course is to build it primarily with your own original content. This approach not only minimizes copyright risks but also solidifies your brand and establishes you as a genuine authority in your field. It’s about translating your unique expertise, experiences, and teaching style into your own course materials.

When your course is built on your original frameworks and insights, you significantly reduce the need for third-party licenses. This also makes your offering distinct in a crowded market. Think of Andrew Huberman’s neuroscience courses, they are powerful because he combines his original research analysis with carefully cited studies, creating a unique educational product.

Why Originality is Your Best Asset

Creating original content is your most effective strategy in any copyright checklist for online course creators. You’re creating true intellectual property instead of just curating information from others. This makes your course more valuable and much easier to protect. When the majority of your videos, worksheets, and frameworks are born from your own work, you sidestep a massive web of potential licensing headaches.

Platforms also favor unique content. A course filled with original case studies and personal methodologies, like those from marketing expert Gary Vaynerchuk, stands out and is less likely to be flagged for copyright issues because its core value is inherently tied to the creator.

How to Balance Originality with Attribution

I suggest aiming for a 70/30 split. At least 70% of your course should be your original thoughts, models, and materials, with no more than 30% referencing or quoting external sources. For any external content you do use, attribution is key.

Here’s a practical guide to implementing this balance:

Develop a Style Guide: Before you begin, create a simple document that specifies how you will cite all external sources. Choose a standard format like APA or Chicago and stick with it for consistency.
Create a “Sources & Resources” Section: At the end of each module or lesson, include a dedicated page listing all the studies, articles, or books you referenced. This adds credibility and gives students a path for deeper learning.
Use Clear In-Content Citations: Don’t wait until the end. Use footnotes, on-screen text in videos, or direct hyperlinks to credit data, quotes, or specific ideas as you present them.
Document Your Creation Process: Keep notes, outlines, and drafts. This paper trail can help demonstrate the originality of your work if it’s ever questioned. Utilizing the right eLearning content creation tools can help streamline this documentation process.

Pro Tip: When you reference another creator’s work or a study, frame it as a jumping-off point for your own analysis. Explain why it’s relevant and how your unique perspective builds upon it or offers a different viewpoint. This transforms simple referencing into value-added teaching.

4. Implement Proper Video and Multimedia Attribution Practices

Beyond simply having a license, a crucial part of your copyright checklist for online course creators is showing that you have the right to use multimedia content. This means establishing a systematic procedure for crediting every video clip, piece of music, animation, and graphic that you didn’t create from scratch. This is all about being transparent and providing clear, consistent attribution.

A modern video editing workspace featuring a camera, computer screen with editing software, and keyboard.

This process is your best defense against automated copyright claims. Systems like YouTube’s Content ID are constantly scanning for matching content, and proper attribution can be the key to preventing your videos from being flagged, monetized by someone else, or taken down entirely.

Why This is Non-Negotiable

Failing to attribute properly, even for licensed content, can lead to complications. The creator might require attribution as a condition of the license, and without it, you’re in breach. On platforms like Vimeo and YouTube, a lack of clear attribution can lead to disputes that are difficult to win because you can’t easily prove your rights. Major educational channels like TED-Ed and Crash Course provide comprehensive citations in their video descriptions, setting a professional standard that builds trust and avoids platform penalties.

How to Implement Proper Attribution

The best approach is to create templates and integrate them into your video production workflow from the very beginning. This ensures nothing slips through the cracks.

Here’s a practical guide to creating your attribution system:

Create a Video Description Template: Have a standard format ready to paste into every video’s description box. For example: Music: "Song Title" by [Artist Name] licensed from [Platform Name, e.g., Epidemic Sound]. Additional footage provided by [Source, e.g., Envato Elements].
Use End-Card Slides: Dedicate a 10-15 second slide at the end of each video to list key credits. This is a clean, professional way to acknowledge creators, especially for music and significant visual assets.
Display On-Screen Text: For background music that plays a prominent role, consider a small, non-intrusive text overlay at the beginning of the segment that says something like Music: "Song Title" - Artist Name.
Leverage Platform Features: Use your course platform or YouTube’s “description” area to link to a master document with full, detailed citations if you have too many to list cleanly.
Maintain Your Audit Spreadsheet: Your content audit spreadsheet from step one is perfect for this. Add a column for the exact attribution text you used for each asset, making it easy to track and reference.

Pro Tip: Sign up for music licensing services like Artlist or Epidemic Sound. They not only provide high-quality music but also offer clear instructions and license keys that simplify the attribution process, making it much easier to clear any automated copyright claims you might receive.

5. Establish Clear Terms of Service and Intellectual Property Policies

Once your course is built, you need to establish the rules of the road for your students. This is where your Terms of Service (T&S) and Intellectual Property (IP) policies come in. Think of these as the legal framework that protects your hard work from being misused, copied, or resold without your permission.

These documents are your official contract with your students. They define exactly how learners can interact with your content, what they are allowed to do, and what crosses the line. Without clear terms, you leave yourself vulnerable to everything from casual sharing to outright piracy.

Why This is Non-Negotiable

Clear policies are your primary enforcement tool. When a student enrolls, they agree to your terms, making them legally binding. Platforms like Kajabi and Teachable provide customizable templates because they know how crucial this is for creator protection. MasterClass, for example, has incredibly detailed restrictions on sharing and redistribution in its terms, setting a clear precedent for how its premium content must be treated. This is all about setting professional standards.

Understanding the importance of content control is a big part of this. The decision-making process around a platform, for instance, is influenced by these considerations. Realizing the benefits of owning your own fan subscription platform instead of using third-party marketplaces can directly impact your ability to set and enforce your own IP rules without external interference.

How to Implement Your Policies

Don’t just copy and paste a generic template. Your terms need to be tailored to your specific course and business model. The goal is to be clear, fair, and legally sound.

Here’s a practical checklist for drafting your T&S and IP policies:

Define Permitted Use: State explicitly that the course license is for personal, non-commercial, and non-transferable use by a single individual.
Prohibit Redistribution: Clearly forbid sharing login credentials, downloading and re-uploading videos, or distributing course materials (like PDFs and worksheets) to non-enrolled individuals.
Set Consequences: Outline what happens if a student violates the terms. This can range from a warning and suspension from the community to full account termination without a refund and potential legal action.
Make Them Accessible: Don’t bury your terms in the website footer. Link to them directly on the checkout page and require students to check a box agreeing to them before they can complete their purchase. This creates an enforceable “clickwrap” agreement.
Include a DMCA Clause: Add language stating that you respect copyright law and will respond to valid takedown notices, which also shows you take IP rights seriously. To learn more about setting boundaries, you can read about the rules of the community.

Pro Tip: Work with a lawyer specializing in digital media or intellectual property to review your final draft. A small investment now can save you from massive legal headaches later. Be sure to review and update your policies annually to keep up with evolving laws.

6. Use Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Access Control Systems

Beyond legal paperwork and contracts, your copyright checklist for online course creators must include technical safeguards. This is where Digital Rights Management (DRM) and access control systems come in. Think of these as the digital locks and security cameras for your course content, designed to limit unauthorized access, copying, and redistribution.

These systems actively protect your hard work and the licensed content you’ve paid for by controlling how students can interact with your materials. It’s about protecting your intellectual property as a business asset.

A tablet displays 'PROTECTED CONTENT' with lock and shield icons on a desk.

Why Technical Protections are Non-Negotiable

Relying solely on your terms of service is not enough. Technical controls provide a practical barrier against casual piracy and accidental sharing. Major platforms have these features built-in because they know how critical they are. For instance, Teachable offers drip-feed content and download limitations, while Thinkific lets you disable video downloads entirely, forcing a streaming-only mode. Platforms like MasterClass use advanced DRM to prevent screen recording, showing a proactive defense of their high-value content.

Implementing these measures shows that you are actively protecting your content, which can be crucial if you ever need to enforce your copyright.

How to Implement Access Controls

The good news is that you don’t need to be a tech wizard to implement these protections. Most modern course platforms have user-friendly controls that you can enable with just a few clicks. It’s about being strategic with the tools you already have.

Here are some practical steps you can take today:

Enable Platform Safeguards: Start by exploring your course platform’s security settings. Most creators underutilize these. Look for options to disable video downloads, restrict content embedding, and limit the number of devices a student can use.
Drip-Feed Your Content: Release lessons on a schedule instead of all at once. This prevents a user from signing up, downloading everything in an hour, and requesting a refund.
Watermark Your Assets: Add a visible or invisible watermark with the student’s name or email address to videos and downloadable PDFs. This simple step is a powerful psychological deterrent against sharing.
Use Password-Protected PDFs: For key documents like workbooks or templates, add a unique password for each student to discourage easy sharing in online forums.
Combine Multiple Methods: Don’t rely on just one tactic. A combination of streaming-only video, watermarked PDFs, and drip-fed content creates a much stronger security net.

Pro Tip: Balance protection with user experience. Overly restrictive systems can frustrate legitimate students and might even encourage them to find workarounds. The goal is to make piracy inconvenient, not to make your course difficult to access for paying customers.

7. Monitor and Respond to Copyright Claims and Violations

Publishing your course isn’t the final step in copyright management. The seventh item on our copyright checklist for online course creators is establishing an ongoing process to monitor and handle claims. Think of this as your post-launch security system, actively watching for copyright flags so you can address them quickly and professionally.

This process involves regularly checking your platform dashboards and email for notifications about potential infringement. This could be a claim against content you’ve used, or it could be someone illegally using your own course material. It’s about being proactive, not just reactive.

Why This Ongoing Monitoring is Non-Negotiable

Ignoring a copyright claim, even an automated one, can get your course taken down or your entire account suspended. Platforms have strict policies and timelines. For example, Udemy typically gives creators a 30-day window to respond to a copyright strike notice, while YouTube’s Content ID system can flag and demonetize a video within hours of upload. Being prepared to respond shows platform administrators that you are a responsible creator.

Beyond claims against you, this monitoring helps protect your own intellectual property. Swiftly identifying and addressing piracy is crucial. You can learn more about how to handle piracy of your online course to safeguard your revenue and hard work.

How to Implement Your Monitoring and Response Protocol

A systematic approach will save you headaches and protect your business. You need a clear, documented plan that you can execute consistently. This isn’t something to figure out on the fly when a stressful takedown notice arrives.

Here are the key steps to build into your workflow:

Enable Notifications: Go into the settings of every platform you use (Teachable, Kajabi, YouTube, Vimeo) and enable all available copyright claim and DMCA-related email notifications.
Schedule Check-ins: Set a recurring calendar reminder to check your platform dashboards for any alerts. A weekly check is good practice, but I’d recommend a daily check for the first week after launching a new course or major update.
Document Everything: When a claim comes in, take a screenshot immediately. Keep a log of the claim date, the claimant’s information, the content in question, and all correspondence.
Respond Promptly: For legitimate claims where you made a mistake, acknowledge it and remove the infringing content within 48 hours. A quick, professional response can prevent escalation.
Prepare Your Dispute: If you believe a claim is incorrect, don’t just click “dispute.” First, gather your evidence: the license agreement, the screenshot of the Creative Commons license, or the email permission from the creator. Attach this proof to your appeal.
Stay Professional: Always maintain a calm and professional tone in your communications. Many claims are automated or based on a misunderstanding, and a respectful response is more likely to lead to a positive resolution.

Pro Tip: Create a simple text file or document with pre-written response templates. Have one for acknowledging a valid claim, one for requesting more information, and one for formally disputing a claim with your evidence attached. This saves you from writing a stressful email from scratch and ensures you include all necessary information.

8. Conduct Regular Copyright Compliance Audits and Updates

Publishing your course is a milestone, but copyright compliance isn’t a one-and-done task. A critical part of any long-term copyright checklist for online course creators is implementing a regular audit schedule. Think of this as a routine health checkup for your course content, ensuring it remains legally sound over time.

This process involves periodically re-examining all your materials to ensure they still comply with licensing terms, platform policies, and any changes in copyright law. Licenses expire, platform terms of service get updated, and what was compliant last year might not be today.