Pondering Thoughts Podcast

Legal Must-Knows for Content Creators: Protect Your Brand, Likeness, and IP with Attorney Samantha Bradshaw

Season 5 Episode 6

In this episode, host K. Wilkes and legal expert Samantha Bradshaw break down the legal essentials every content creator should understand. They tackle common misconceptions—like thinking an LLC provides trademark protection—and clarify the core pillars of intellectual property: trademarks, copyrights, and patents. Samantha explains how copyright protection is automatic, why registration matters, and how tools like batch filings, contracts, and media releases help creators protect their content and likeness online.

They also explore the challenges of AI-generated content, the importance of knowing the difference between state and federal laws, and practical ways creators can proactively safeguard their work. Samantha shares insights from building her virtual law firm and highlights the value of strong support systems when navigating entrepreneurship—including why teaching your team copyright basics can reduce legal costs.

If you’re interested in connecting with Samantha for masterminds, membership groups, or local business circles—where she offers educational support on business and intellectual property law—please refer to the Guest Info below.

Packed with actionable tips, this conversation helps creators build a strong, legally sound foundation for their brand.

Chapters

02:00 Demystifying Legal Practices for Content Creators

14:12 Understanding Intellectual Property and Common Mistakes

17:13 Defining Intellectual Property: Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents

22:17 Navigating Copyright Protection and Registration

26:34 Protecting Content in the Age of AI

28:15 Navigating Copyright Challenges

30:57 Understanding Watch Services for Content Protection

34:55 The Public Nature of Likeness and Content Ownership

39:40 The Importance of Contracts in Content Creation

43:10 Creating Effective Guest Release Agreements

52:45 Navigating Legal Challenges in Podcasting

53:20 Essential Protections for Podcasters

54:55 Setting Goals for Your Podcast

56:54 Balancing SEO and Trademarking

58:51 Creating Trademarkable Brand Names

01:00 Leveraging Intellectual Property for Growth

01:02 Closing Thoughts - Building a Strong Foundation for Your Brand

Guest Info

Samantha Bradshaw is a business attorney and the founder of InLine Legal. With a background as the Senior Foreign of Counsel for a multinational law firm in Beirut, Lebanon, she has a unique perspective on cross-border business and a life-by-design approach. Working from anywhere there's internet, Samantha is on a mission to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs by anti-gatekeeping legal information and showing them how to build a business that supports their life, not the other way around. She’s here to talk about how a collaborative, no-nonsense approach to intellectual property can help you create lasting value and build a brand you actually own.

Resources

InLine Legal website

Instagram

YouTube

LinkedIn

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