Who Owns the Content You Post on LinkedIn?

Often when we publish content to a third party site, we give up ownership. In fact, until facebook updated their Statement of Rights and Responsibilities in November 2013 it was very unclear on their rights to our pictures, videos and intellectual property that we shared on their site. Now, it is stated that we own the rights but they can use it. In addition they now allow privacy settings that give us control over who in our network can see our content.

Twitter's Terms of Services allows us retain our rights as well as any content we submit, post or display. However, we do agree to grant them a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, copy, reproduce, process, adapt, modify, publish, transmit, display and distribute such content in any and all media or distribution methods. So although we still own it, they can practically do anything they want with it.

In LinkedIn's User Agreement, it is currently not clear if our photos, updates, posts, presentations, comments or any other content we share is ours or theirs. It doesn't specifically agree to not use our content for their own purposes. It even doesn't agree to stop sharing content that you have deleted. So should you be nervous?

Nope...LinkedIn is updating their User Agreement effective October 23, 2014 to reinforce their commitment to respecting what's ours. They are officially giving us control and ownership of our content.

Just remember, no matter what, once you put something out on the internet, it is public. Even deleting posts doesn't mean it will permanently go away. So, only share information you are fine with the whole world seeing...just in case they do!

TIP: If you are blogging your intellectual capital, you may want to add a copyright on the bottom of all of your posts, it may protect you against other's poaching your content.

DISCLOSURE: I am not an attorney, so if copyright and trademarking is important to you, let me know and I will introduce you to an attorney that can help.

Want to learn how to use LinkedIn to grow your business? Check out our book...

CLICK HERE to view book on Amazon.

REVISED MAY 2014! INCLUDED: Essential 45 minute LinkedIn & Social Selling Webinar

"This book from Brynne Tillman encapsulates the social selling ethos. Page after page of tips and best practices for sales professionals. I see this as a workbook and the most up to date reference material for sales people learning to leverage LinkedIn. Keep this book on your desk, the information within will provide value for a long time." - , Senior Social Media Manager at LinkedIn"