From YouTube channels to Instagram pages, Twitch streams to TikTok accounts, today’s content creators are running full-scale businesses—even if they don’t always realize it.
But with followers, partnerships, and income comes legal complexity. And far too many influencers wait until there’s a crisis—a terminated sponsorship, a stolen idea, a tax audit—before getting legal guidance.
At the Boesch Law Group, we serve as general counsel to digital creators and influencer-driven brands throughout California and beyond. If you’re a content creator building a platform, here are the legal essentials you can’t afford to overlook:
- You Are a Business—Treat It Like One
If you’re making money through content—whether it’s ad revenue, sponsored posts, affiliate deals, or merchandise sales—you need to operate as a business.
This means:
- Choosing the right entity (LLC or S Corp).
- Getting a separate business bank account.
- Having a plan for taxes, expenses, and liability.
A business entity helps protect your personal assets and can open the door to better deals and collaborations. It also sends a message: you’re not just a creator—you’re a professional.
- Read the Fine Print in Brand Deals
Not all influencer agreements are created equal. Some give brands broad rights to your content—even to your name, likeness, and voice. Others include exclusivity clauses that block you from working with competitors, or auto-renew terms that lock you in indefinitely.
As general counsel, we routinely review:
- Brand and sponsorship agreements
- Licensing and usage rights
- Morality and termination clauses
- FTC disclosure and advertising compliance
Tip: If a brand wants to “own” or use your content in perpetuity, make sure you’re being paid accordingly—or negotiate limits.
- Protect Your Content and Brand
You worked hard to build your platform—now you need to protect it.
That includes:
- Trademarking your personal or channel name
- Registering copyrights for original music, videos, or designs
- Enforcing your rights when content is stolen or reposted without permission
We help creators establish and enforce IP rights—and make sure you don’t accidentally give them away in a poorly drafted agreement.
- Collaborating? Get It in Writing
Group channels, podcast co-hosts, editors, videographers—collaboration is part of the creator economy. But things can fall apart fast if roles, rights, and revenue splits aren’t clearly defined.
Have you discussed:
- Who owns the content?
- Who gets paid what?
- What happens if one person leaves or wants out?
Whether it’s a formal partnership or a handshake deal with a friend, having legal clarity early on avoids disputes later.
- Think Ahead: Scaling, Monetizing, and Diversifying
From launching merch to signing with management or expanding to new platforms, creators are finding new ways to grow. But each new revenue stream brings new legal questions.
As general counsel, we don’t just solve problems—we help plan ahead, with strategies that support your growth while protecting your rights and your brand.
The Boesch Law Group: General Counsel for the Creator Economy
We understand the unique challenges influencers and digital entrepreneurs face—because we work with them every day. Our general counsel services give creators peace of mind, business structure, and legal strength.
Whether you’re negotiating a brand deal, protecting your content, or turning your online presence into a long-term business, we’re here to help.
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and take your brand to the next level—with legal guidance built for the creator economy.