Hubspot Guide to Decoding Marketing Copyright

For any Hubspot user creating blogs, social posts, or campaigns, understanding copyright is essential to keep content safe, professional, and compliant.

This how-to guide explains copyright basics for marketers, based closely on the original HubSpot Blog article on decoding copyright, and adapts it into a practical checklist you can apply to your day-to-day content work.

What Copyright Means for Hubspot Marketers

Copyright is the legal protection granted to creators of original works, including text, images, videos, audio, and graphics you might upload into your Hubspot-powered marketing campaigns.

In practice, that means:

• The creator owns the right to copy, distribute, adapt, and display the work.
• Others need permission or a valid exception (like fair use) to reuse that work.
• Ownership exists automatically once the work is fixed in a tangible form, even if it is not registered.

If you publish a blog post, infographic, or video through your Hubspot tools, you are creating copyright-protected content. The same is true for content you find online; you cannot freely use it just because it is on the internet.

Key Copyright Terms Every Hubspot User Should Know

Original Work of Authorship

This covers creative works such as:

• Blog articles and eBooks
• Designs, logos, and infographics
• Photos and illustrations
• Podcasts and marketing videos

When you or your team create these assets and store or publish them via your Hubspot environment, they are protected under copyright law.

Public Domain

Public domain works are not protected by copyright, either because the copyright expired, was forfeited, or never applied. These works can generally be used freely in your Hubspot campaigns.

However, check that the source truly is public domain. Mislabeling is common, and marketers are still responsible for verifying licensing claims.

Licenses and Permissions

A license is authorization from the copyright holder that explains how you can use a work. Common examples include:

• Royalty-free image licenses from stock sites
• Creative Commons licenses with specific conditions
• Custom contracts with photographers, writers, or agencies

Before adding licensed media to your Hubspot assets, review the license for restrictions on commercial use, edits, or attribution requirements.

Fair Use Explained for Hubspot Content Creators

Fair use is a limited exception that allows use of copyrighted content without permission for certain purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, or research.

Courts typically evaluate four factors together:

1. Purpose and character of your use (commercial vs. educational, transformative vs. copying).
2. Nature of the original work (factual vs. highly creative).
3. Amount and substantiality used in relation to the whole work.
4. Effect on the market for the original work.

For a Hubspot marketer, some potential fair use scenarios might include:

• Quoting a short excerpt from an article to critique or analyze it.
• Embedding an official social media post as part of commentary.
• Referencing a brief segment of a video for educational explanation.

Fair use is not guaranteed, and it is risky to rely on it for routine commercial campaigns. When in doubt, seek legal guidance instead of assuming a use is fair.

How Hubspot Marketers Can Legally Source Content

When creating assets for email, social, blogs, and landing pages, use content you have rights to. Consider these common sources:

1. Create Your Own Original Assets

The safest path for your Hubspot properties is to produce original content:

• Write your own blog posts and marketing copy.
• Design unique visuals or infographics.
• Record your own photos, screen captures, and videos.

You then control how these materials are used across your Hubspot campaigns and beyond.

2. Use Licensed Stock Libraries

Licensed stock content gives you a clear framework for reuse. When using stock assets in Hubspot:

• Confirm your subscription or one-time license covers commercial use.
• Review limits on redistribution or use in templates.
• Follow attribution requirements, if specified.

3. Rely on Trusted Partners and Agencies

If you work with agencies or consultants, define copyright ownership and usage rights in your contracts. For ongoing SEO and marketing strategy paired with Hubspot, you can consult experts such as Consultevo to align content operations with legal and technical best practices.

Practical Copyright Checklist for Hubspot Campaigns

Before publishing any new campaign or asset, walk through this simple checklist.

Step 1: Identify Every Third-Party Element

Scan your Hubspot page, email, or post for elements you did not personally create:

• Images, GIFs, and icons
• Charts or infographics
• Text excerpts and quotations
• Music, sound effects, or video clips

Step 2: Confirm the Source and License

For each element, record:

• Where it came from (URL, platform, vendor)
• Type of license or permission
• Any limitations on commercial or derivative use

Store this information in a shared document or property notes so anyone managing Hubspot content can verify usage rights later.

Step 3: Add Required Attributions

If the license requires attribution, add it clearly near the asset or in a credits section. For blog posts on Hubspot, this might be a caption under an image or a citation at the end of the article.

Step 4: Minimize High-Risk Uses

Avoid these patterns unless you have specific legal approval:

• Copying large blocks of text from other websites.
• Reposting full-resolution images from social media or news outlets.
• Uploading entire videos or songs you do not own.
• Using trademarked logos as decoration instead of factual reference.

Protecting Your Own Hubspot Content

Just as you respect others’ rights, protect your own assets published via Hubspot tools.

Document Ownership and Contributions

Keep track of who created each asset and under what terms. For freelancers or agencies, make sure contracts clearly state that rights are assigned to your organization or specify how you may use the work.

Use Clear Terms of Use and Policies

On websites managed through Hubspot, include a terms of use or copyright notice that explains:

• Who owns the site content.
• How visitors may or may not reuse text, images, or downloads.
• How to request permission for reuse.

Monitor for Infringement

Periodically search for unauthorized copies of your most valuable assets. If you find infringement, you might:

• Send a polite takedown request.
• Use platform-specific reporting tools.
• Seek legal support for repeated or commercial misuse.

Learn More From the Original HubSpot Copyright Article

This guide is based on the concepts discussed in the original HubSpot Blog piece on copyright and marketing, adapted into a step-by-step format. For deeper reading, review the source article at HubSpot’s decoding copyright guide.

By applying these principles in your Hubspot workflows, you can create confident, compliant marketing campaigns that respect intellectual property and protect your brand.