Hey Genius! Welcome back to the Own Your Genius podcast—the show where we don’t just protect your brilliance, we help you build a business that runs on it. I’m your host, LaConya Murray—brand attorney and intellectual property architect—here to help you turn your ideas into income and your expertise into assets.
And listen, I know—it’s been a minute. We’ve been quiet here on the podcast for about seven months, but not because we’ve been still. Behind the scenes, we’ve been helping clients protect their genius, scale their brands, and navigate the legal side of entrepreneurship with clarity and confidence. We’ve been building new products, adding services, and making it easier for you to access the legal help you need.
But honestly? I’ve missed this space. I’ve missed connecting with you, sharing what I’m seeing in the industry, and giving you the tools to lead your business like a CEO.
If you’re new here—welcome. I’m so glad to have you. And if you’ve been rocking with me for a while—thank you for coming back.
We’re kicking off this new season with a topic that has the internet in a tizzy: CapCut’s updated Terms of Service.
CapCut’s Terms: What You Need to Know
CapCut is one of the most popular video editing apps out there—especially for creators who want a quick, mobile-friendly tool to produce content for TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
But here’s the thing: convenience always comes at a cost. And in this case, that cost is your control.
As of June 12, 2025, CapCut’s updated Terms of Service raise serious red flags—especially around intellectual property. And you know we don’t play about your IP over here.
If you’re using CapCut to edit client deliverables, course content, or brand videos, you need to understand what you’re agreeing to.
The Illusion of Ownership
CapCut doesn’t claim ownership of your content. You still hold the copyright to anything you create or upload.
But—and it’s a big but—by using the app, you’re granting CapCut and its parent company, ByteDance, a royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, and sublicensable license to use your content however they want.
That means they can:
- Use your content in ads or sponsored posts
- Share or sell it to third parties
And yes, this applies to everything you upload—including private drafts and unpublished videos.
So while you technically “own” your content, CapCut can do almost anything they want with it. Forever. Without paying you. Without notifying you.
Waiving Your Rights
It doesn’t stop there.
By agreeing to their terms, you also waive your moral rights. That means CapCut can use your name, image, and likeness without crediting you or asking for permission.
And all content you upload—whether published or not—is treated as non-confidential. They don’t care if it’s personal or sensitive. It’s all fair game.
Legal & Financial Risk
Let’s say CapCut misuses your content or causes harm. Their liability is capped at $50—or whatever you paid them in the last year, whichever is greater.
And if there’s a legal dispute involving your content? You agree to cover CapCut’s legal fees.
So let’s recap:
- You give them broad rights to your work
- You waive your right to credit
- And you agree to foot the bill if things go sideways
What This Means for You
This isn’t just about CapCut. This is a case study in how digital platforms are reshaping the way we think about contracts.
Most people don’t read the fine print—and companies know that. So they bake in broad, one-sided terms that give them maximum control with minimal accountability.
But here’s the mindset shift I want you to make:
Every clickwrap agreement is a contract.
Every time you hit “I agree,” you’re entering into a legally binding relationship. And if you’re building a brand, creating content, or monetizing your expertise, those relationships matter.
3 Takeaways for Creators & CEOs
- Ownership ≠ Control
Just because you own your content doesn’t mean you control how it’s used. Look for licensing language like “perpetual,” “irrevocable,” and “sublicensable.”
- Free Tools Aren’t Free
If you’re not paying with money, you’re paying with your data, your content, or your control. Know what you’re trading.
- Contracts Are Strategy
This is why I created our upcoming workshop:
How to Read a Contract Like a Lawyer
🗓️ July 16 | ⏰ 11:00 AM CT | 💻 Online
You’ll learn how to spot red flags, negotiate terms, and protect your time, money, and intellectual property.
Want the Replay?
It’s free to attend live. MARKEDlegal subscribers get the replay included. Not a subscriber? You can still purchase the replay for $197 and revisit the strategies anytime.
MARKEDlegal gives you access to guided legal resources, templates, and workshops—so you can move with legal confidence in your business.
Final Thoughts
Your intellectual property is a business asset. It deserves to be protected, positioned, and leveraged with the same intention you used to create it.
If this episode helped you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and make sure you’re subscribed so you never miss a chance to own your genius.
Until next time, keep building your business, growing your brand, and owning your genius.
