Row of Pinterest Icons Red Social Media Jay Artale

Does Pinterest own copyright to my images?

Understanding Copyright on Pinterest

Different levels of Copyright Pinterest for AuthorsPinterest is a valuable marketing and promotion tool for Authors, but too many don’t understand the copyright rules and are confused about who owns the copyright of Pinterest content so they end up steering clear of setting up their own Pinterest boards — and by default, missing out on the most enjoyable social media network out there.

Today I’m sharing my insights on the Pinterest copyright myths; the best Pinning approach and how to steer clear of copyright infringement on Pinterest.

Copyright on Pinterest – the Big Myth

I see this comment over and over again on social media and on blogs:

“Don’t pin your book covers on Pinterest, because as soon as you post it on Pinterest, it means you’re signing over the rights of your content to Pinterest”

It’s a myth I’m always guaranteed to respond too, and sometimes I feel like I’m on a one-woman mission to dispel it! It’s an ill-informed assumption based on believing 2nd or 3rd hand content on the internet, rather than going to the source.

 

Here’s the content I pulled fromĀ Pinterest’s own Terms of Service:

Does Pinterest own copyright to my images Jay Artale

a. Posting content:

Pinterest allows you to post content, including photos, comments, links, and other materials. Anything that you post or otherwise make available on our Products is referred to as “User Content.” You retain all rights in, and are solely responsible for, the User Content you post to Pinterest.
Pinterest Terms of Service Copyright Simply Put
How Pinterest and other users can use your content Jay Artale

b. How Pinterest and other users can use your content:

You grant Pinterest and its users a non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable, worldwide license to use, store, display, reproduce, re-pin, modify, create derivative works, perform, and distribute your User Content on Pinterest solely for the purposes of operating, developing, providing, and using the Pinterest Products.

Pinterest Terms of Service Copyright Simply Put

That’s pretty clear. You’re not giving up any ownership rights on your content simply by virtue of posting something on Pinterest.