Is Repurposing Content Legal? A Guide to Intellectual Property

The Legal Framework of Content Repurposing

Repurposing content is a powerful strategy, but you must ensure you are on the right side of Intellectual Property (IP) law.

Repurposing Your Own Content

This is 100% legal. You own the copyright to your work, and you have the exclusive right to create "derivative works" based on it. Transforming your blog into a video is a perfect example of this.

Repurposing Others' Content

This is where it gets tricky. Taking someone else's content and merely reformatting it is usually copyright infringement. To do this legally, you need either:

• Explicit Permission/License: Written consent from the owner.
• Fair Use: Using a small portion for the purpose of criticism, commentary, or education in a "transformative" way.

The Golden Rule

When in doubt, always ask for permission or create something entirely original. Read more about Can You Get Sued for Reposting?.