As social media platforms continue to reshape how content is created, shared, distributed and monetised, managing intellectual property rights in user-generated content (UGC) has become an increasingly complex challenge for content creators, publishers and media organisations.
From viral videos and creator collaborations to platform licensing agreements and unauthorised content sharing, the boundaries of ownership, usage rights and commercial exploitation are becoming harder to navigate. While UGC platforms offer significant opportunities for audience engagement, content discovery and revenue generation, they also expose rights holders to risks involving copyright infringement, unauthorised reuse and the loss of control over valuable creative assets.
These challenges will take centre stage at the upcoming Protecting Content Value: Practical Copyright and IP Strategies for Content Creators And Publishers webinar, taking place on Thursday, 03 December 2026.
Under the topic, “The Social Media Minefield: Best Practices For Managing Content Rights On User-Generated Content (UGC) Platforms,” the discussion will examine how content owners can protect their intellectual property while navigating the licensing frameworks and commercial policies of major social media platforms.
The session will explore practical approaches to negotiating content licences with platforms, understanding the implications of granting usage permissions, and establishing clear agreements that protect ownership, attribution and monetisation rights. It will also examine the growing challenge of viral infringement, where copyrighted material can be rapidly reproduced, redistributed and commercially exploited across multiple platforms, often without the rights holder’s knowledge or consent.
Participants will gain insights into developing effective content rights management strategies, responding to unauthorised uploads, managing takedown procedures and balancing the commercial opportunities of user-generated content with the need to safeguard original creative work.
As digital platforms increasingly influence how audiences discover and consume content, establishing clear copyright practices and stronger rights management frameworks is essential for ensuring that creators and publishers retain control and derive value from their intellectual property.
The webinar will bring together industry perspectives on the practical legal, commercial and operational measures needed to protect content value in an increasingly interconnected digital media environment.
Find out more about the webinar here.
