The Ultimate Legal Guide for Digital Product Creators
Everything You Need to Know About Legally Selling Courses, Templates, and More
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. I am not a lawyer. Please consult with a qualified attorney to ensure your business is compliant with all applicable laws in your location and industry.
If you’re creating digital products—whether it's a course, eBook, membership, or template—legal questions are bound to come up. From copyright concerns to refund policies, it's essential to get these things right before you sell another product.
To make it easier, I’ve pulled together every legal resource I’ve created to help you protect your business and intellectual property, all in one place.
Use this guide to find the answers you need, and bookmark it for future reference as your business grows.
📚 Start Here: Legal Basics for Digital Product Entrepreneurs
Don’t Sell Another Digital Product Without These Legal Basics
A great starting point if you’ve never thought about the legal side of digital products. This post walks through the essential protections every creator should have in place before launching.Copyrights & Trademarks: What Every Creator Should Know
Learn what you can (and can’t) protect, when to register your content, and how to safeguard your brand identity.
🧾 Policies, Refunds & Business Structure
Refunds for Digital Products: What You Must Include to Stay Protected
Digital products are a different beast when it comes to returns. This post shows you how to create a fair and protective refund policy.LLC or Sole Proprietor? What Digital Product Creators Really Need to Know
Confused about whether to register your business? This article breaks down the pros and cons of each option.
🧠 Intellectual Property & Copy Protection
How to Legally Protect Your Course, eBook, or Template from Copycats
What to do when someone rips off your product—and how to prevent it in the first place.How to Write a Digital Product License Agreement That Actually Protects You
Make sure your terms are clear when it comes to how customers can (and can’t) use your products.
🎨 Using Fonts, Images, or Music in Your Products
Can You Legally Use That Font, Image, or Song in Your Digital Product?
Just because it’s on the internet doesn’t mean it’s free to use. This post clears up confusion about creative assets in your products.
🤖 AI & Digital Products
Can You Legally Sell AI-Generated Content as a Digital Product?
AI tools are changing the game—but are you legally in the clear when selling AI-generated work? This post breaks it down.
🧩 Memberships & Legal Requirements
Membership Site? Here’s the Legal Rule You Can’t Ignore
Running a membership site? There's one compliance issue that trips up a lot of creators—here’s what you need to know.
🎧 Must-Listen Podcast Episodes on Legal Topics
Prefer to listen instead of read? These episodes cover key topics for creators looking to protect their business:
Episode 108: How to Legally Protect Your Online Course From Copycats
With Amy Nesheim, this conversation outlines what protections you can put in place before someone steals your course content.Episode 172: The Great Debate – To Trademark or Not?
A deep dive into whether (and when) you need a trademark, featuring insights from legal expert Braden Drake.Episode 202: Want to Future-Proof Your Blog? Here’s What You Need to Know for 2025
AI, copyright, and the future of digital content—this episode covers how to stay compliant as tech evolves.
Final Thoughts
Legal issues don’t have to feel overwhelming—especially when you’ve got the right resources. Use this guide to get informed, protect your work, and build a business that’s both profitable and protected.
If you have a specific legal question that’s not covered here, send it to me! I may cover it in an upcoming blog post or podcast episode.
