Music, logos and other people in your content

When you submit campaign content you are warranting that you own, or are fully cleared to use, everything in it. That is section 4.d.i of the Creator Terms of Use, and it is broader than most people expect.

What needs clearing

The terms specifically call out three things you must not include without prior written permission from the rights holder:

• Third-party trademarks, logos and trade dress — another brand's logo on a cup, a visible label on clothing, a shop sign in the background.
• Copyrighted works, including photographs, artwork and other people's footage.
• Architectural works — yes, buildings. Some are protected.

And separately:

• Anyone identifiable in your content needs a signed written release. Not verbal agreement. That includes partners, friends, and your own children. If we ask, you have five days to produce the release — so get it at the time, not later.

Music is the one that catches people

Commercial music is a copyrighted work, so the same rule applies.

The trap: a platform's music library is licensed for personal, organic posts. That licence generally does not extend to branded or commercial content, which is exactly what campaign content is. Using a trending track because it was available in the app is the most common way a creator ends up with a muted, restricted or removed post — often after approval, which takes your deliverable with it.

Safer options:

• Use the platform's commercial or business music library, where one exists.
• Use music the brand supplies or has licensed.
• Use properly licensed royalty-free audio, and keep the licence.
• Use original audio — your own voice, ambient sound.

If you are unsure whether a track is cleared, ask before you shoot rather than after. Email creator.marketing@socialnative.com.

Why it matters to you specifically

Three consequences sit on your side of the line:

• You pay. The terms say you are responsible for any money owed to a third party arising from what you included.
• Content with a problem earns nothing. Content deemed objectionable or infringing is not entitled to the campaign fee.
• Repeat issues cost you your account. Two valid takedown notices make you a repeat infringer under the terms, and a single one can be enough at our discretion.

It also must not break the platform's rules

The terms require that your content does not breach any agreement you have with a third party — including the terms of use of the platform you post on. A post that violates Instagram's or TikTok's own rules is a problem under our terms too, not just theirs.

The quick check before you submit

• Is every piece of music, footage and imagery mine or cleared in writing?
• Is any other brand's logo visible, even incidentally in the background?
• Is anyone identifiable in shot, and do I have their signed release?
• Would this pass the platform's own rules?

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This is a summary to help you get it right, not legal advice. The Creator Terms of Use are the operative document.