Seasonal campaigns—Valentine’s, Spring launches, trade shows—are high-energy, fast-moving, and full of creative ideas. That also makes them easy places to slip into copyright or trademark trouble. This guide helps small businesses and marketing teams plan safe and effective early-year campaigns so that you can promote with confidence.
Bold action recommended: If you’re finalizing designs or names for an early-year campaign, contact us now — fill out our online form or call (463) 363-0211 for a quick review.
Why seasonal marketing is more likely to trigger IP problems
Seasonal campaigns move fast and often reuse popular themes (hearts, snow, spring flowers). That makes accidental copying more likely.
- Creative reuse: Teams pull logos, images, or slogans from social media or the web.
- Tight timelines: Quick turnarounds mean fewer checks.
- High visibility: Seasonal ads get more eyes — and a greater chance someone notices a similarity.
Plain-language note: Copyright protects original creative work like photos, graphics, and written copy. Trademarks protect brand names, logos, and slogans used to identify goods or services.
Simple checks to run before you publish
Before you hit “publish,” run a few quick checks that catch most problems.
- Visual check
- Compare your design to other brands’ logos and ads.
- Watch for similar colors, shapes, or taglines.
- Text check
- Search short phrases in quotes online.
- Don’t reuse someone else’s tagline or headline.
- Source check
- Confirm where images, music, or fonts came from.
- Keep license records and receipts.
These quick steps take minutes but can prevent bigger headaches later.
How to avoid copyright infringement
Copyright issues often come from images, music, or copy used without proper permission.
Use safe image sources
- Use images you created or bought from a reputable stock site.
- If someone sent you an image, get written permission that explains how you can use it.
Watch music and video
- Don’t assume a song shared on social media is okay to use in an ad.
- Use properly licensed tracks or royalty-free music with clear terms.
Be careful with user content
- If you repost user photos, get explicit permission and save that approval.
- Make clear what you’re allowed to do with a user’s content (ads, edits, sharing).
Plain-language tip: A license is a written permission telling you what you may do with a photo, song, or design.
Protecting trademarks in seasonal campaigns
Trademarks help customers recognize your brand. Even seasonal taglines or mini-brands can create issues.
- Before using a name or slogan, search for similar trademarks online to ensure they are not already in use.
- Avoid names that sound or look a lot like another brand in your market.
- Don’t use another company’s logo, even as a reference, without permission.
If you plan to use a new campaign name or logo, consider a clearance search. For an introduction to how trademark disputes work, learn more about trademark infringement.
Design and copy best practices for seasonal campaigns
Follow simple rules to lower risk while keeping your creative spark.
- Create original artwork or buy it with a clear license.
- Write your own headlines or use a licensed copywriter.
- Keep a log of sources, licenses, and permissions for every asset.
- Train your team: sharing a concise checklist before every campaign is extremely helpful.
When to get an attorney involved
You don’t need a lawyer for every social post, but certain situations merit help.
- You plan to use a new brand name, logo, or tagline nationwide.
- An outside company claims you copied their work.
- You bought assets, but the license terms are confusing.
A quick review can often resolve questions before they turn into disputes.
Quick checklist before launch
- ☐ Did you create or properly license every image, font, and music file?
- ☐ Did you search for existing trademarks that match your campaign name?
- ☐ Do you have written permissions for user-generated content?
- ☐ Did someone outside the creative team review rights and sources?
Keeping this list handy can make seasonal rushes far less risky.
Indianapolis Trademark Infringement Attorneys
Seasonal campaigns are a great chance to connect with customers — and a time when copyright and trademark risks rise. Small steps (simple searches, clear licenses, a short review) protect your brand and keep your marketing on track.
Ready for a quick review of your early-year campaign? Contact Katie Charleston Law, PC to discuss protecting seasonal marketing material trademarks and avoid common pitfalls. Learn more about trademark infringement and how it can affect your campaign or call (463) 363-0211.