7 Legal Ways to Profit from Other People's Content Without Copyright Issues
Many new bloggers and content creators wonder how to legally benefit from other people’s content without violating copyright laws. The good news is: there are ethical and legal ways to do it — if you know how.
Here are 7 powerful strategies you can use:
01 What is Creative Commons (CC) Licensed Content?
Creative Commons (CC) is a system that allows creators to share their work (photos, videos, music, articles, etc.) for others to use — legally and for free — under specific conditions.
It helps people say:
“Yes, you can use my work, but please follow these rules.”
Types of Creative Commons Licenses
1. CC0 (Public Domain) – No copyright. Free to use with no credit required.
2. CC BY – You can use it, but you must give proper credit to the creator.
3. CC BY-SA – Same as CC BY, but any work you create from it must be shared under the same license.
4. CC BY-ND – You can use it without changes, with credit. No edits allowed.
5. CC BY-NC – Free to use with credit, but NOT for commercial purposes.
6. CC BY-NC-SA / CC BY-NC-ND – Non-commercial use only, with strict sharing rules.
Which License is Best for Bloggers and Creators?
The safest and easiest license to use is CC0. This means the content is in the public domain and you can use it for anything, even commercially, without giving credit.
Trusted Websites to Find Free CC Content
1. Pixabay.com – Free photos, illustrations, videos, and music (mostly CC0).
2. Pexels.com – Free high-quality photos and videos (CC0 or similar).
3. Wikimedia Commons – A large collection of media (some require attribution; check license info).
Examples
Example 1 – Add an Image to Your Blog
Blog Title:
"How to Make Money Freelancing in 2025"
•Visit Pexels.com and search for: “freelancer on laptop”
•Download an image marked as CC0
•Use it in your blog post without worrying about copyright
•No credit needed!
Example 2 – Add Background Music to a YouTube Video
•Go to Pixabay Music
•Download a motivational background track (CC0)
•Use it freely in your YouTube videos
•No copyright claims, no strikes
Example 3 – Use a Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Blog Topic:
"History of the Eiffel Tower"
•Visit Wikimedia Commons
•Search for Eiffel Tower images
•Choose one under CC BY 3.0 license
•Add it to your blog and write:
“Photo by John Smith – CC BY 3.0” in the caption
Things to Remember
•Always check the license before using any content
•Give attribution if the license requires it
•Check if commercial use is allowed
•Never assume everything online is free to use
02 How to Use Public Domain Content Legally (and Profit from It)
Public domain content is one of the most powerful, free resources available to bloggers, YouTubers, authors, and content creators. Unlike copyrighted materials, public domain content belongs to everyone, which means you can use it, modify it, and even sell it — without asking for permission or paying fees.
Let’s explore what public domain content is, how it works, and how you can use it in your own blog or business.
What is Public Domain Content?
Public domain content is content that is not protected by copyright. This could be because:
•The copyright has expired (usually 70+ years after the creator's death)
•The creator released it into the public domain voluntarily (e.g., CC0 license)
•It was created by certain governments and is automatically public domain (like U.S. federal documents)
Types of Public Domain Content
1. Books – Classic literature, ancient texts, and early academic work
2. Music – Classical music (e.g., Mozart, Beethoven), traditional folk songs
3. Art and Illustrations – Old paintings, maps, and posters
4. Government Works – Speeches, research papers, statistics, maps, etc.
5. Old Films & Videos – Silent films, early news footage
6. Historical Photographs – Especially those from national archives
Where Can You Find Public Domain Content?
Here are trusted sources to find free public domain content:
Platform Content Type License Info
Project Gutenberg Free eBooks (old classics) Public Domain
Library of Congress Books, photos, audio Mostly Public Domain
Pixabay (CC0 images) Photos, illustrations Public Domain (CC0)
PublicDomainVectors Vectors & icons CC0/Public Domain
Archive.org Books, audio, video, more Mixed (check license!)
[U.S. Gov Websites (.gov)] Official documents, stats Most are public domain
Examples of How to Use Public Domain Content
Example 1: Rewrite Classic Books as Blog Articles or E-books
•Download a free book from Project Gutenberg (e.g., “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu)
•Rewrite it in your own words, or translate it into your language (e.g., Sinhala or Tamil)
•Turn it into a blog series, PDF guide, or printable eBook
•You can even sell your version on Amazon Kindle!
Example 2: Use Government Data in Blog Posts
If you run a finance or education blog, you can:
•Use U.S. government data from data.gov
•Visualize it in charts and graphs
•Add your own analysis
•Monetize it through AdSense or affiliate links
Title Idea:
“Top 5 Economic Trends in the U.S. (Using Verified Government Data)”
Example 3: Create a YouTube Video with Historical Images
•Download old public domain photos from Library of Congress
•Create a video slideshow on a historical topic
•Add AI voiceover or your own commentary
•Monetize it through YouTube ads
Example 4: Sell Public Domain Coloring Books or Art Prints
•Download and modify old illustrations (e.g., from Archive.org or PublicDomainVectors)
•Create printable coloring books for kids or adults
•Sell on Etsy or Gumroad
Why Use Public Domain Content?
•No copyright worries
•Modify, translate, or resell legally
•Great for low-budget creators
•Endless content ideas
Important Tips
•Always double-check that the work is truly in the public domain.
•Avoid using “public domain” content from unknown sources.
•Some works on Archive.org and Wikimedia may still have copyright — read the usage license.
03 Content Curation (With Credit): A Legal & Smart Way to Build Your Blog
Content curation is the process of collecting, organizing, and sharing valuable content from other sources — while giving proper credit to the original creators. It’s a powerful way to grow your blog or social media presence without copying or violating copyright laws.
What Is Content Curation?
Instead of creating everything from scratch, you gather useful content (articles, videos, infographics, tweets, etc.) from trusted sources and present it in a new format or context for your audience.
This does not mean copying — you’re acting as a guide or editor who adds value and gives credit.
Why Use Content Curation?
•Saves time on content creation
•Builds authority in your niche
•Helps your readers discover quality info
•Encourages backlinks and shares
•100% legal when done with proper attribution
How to Curate Content Legally (Step-by-Step)
1. Find High-Quality, Credible Sources
Look for:
•Reputable blogs and news sites
•Research articles
•Thought leaders’ social media posts
•Government or educational sites
2. Choose a Specific Theme or Topic
Example:
If your blog is about online business, you could curate articles on:
•“Top Affiliate Marketing Strategies for 2025”
•“Recent AI Tools That Boost Productivity”
3. Summarize and Add Your Own Commentary
Instead of copy-pasting, do this:
•Write a short summary of the original content
•Add your opinion or insight
•Include your audience’s benefit
•Link back to the original article
Example format:
In a recent post on Neil Patel’s blog, he explains how long-tail keywords are still the secret to SEO success in 2025. I agree with his point about using topic clusters, but I’d also add that internal linking plays a major role today.
4. Always Give Credit
•Mention the original author/site
•Use quotation marks for exact words
•Add a source link below the quote or summary
Example:
“Content is fire. Social media is gasoline.” — Jay Baer, Convince & Convert
Examples of Legal Content Curation
Blog Post Example:
Title:
“5 Powerful Tips from Top Bloggers to Grow Your Email List (With Sources)”
Each tip is summarized from a different blog post, and each section links back to the original source.
Newsletter Example:
Weekly email titled “Best of the Web: Digital Marketing Tips”
•List 5 curated links
•Brief description for each
•Add your own comment or recommendation
Tools to Help with Content Curation
Mistakes to Avoid
•Don’t copy entire articles
•Don’t skip attribution
•Don’t mislead readers by pretending you wrote it all
•Don’t over-rely on curated content — mix it with original posts
04 Using Fair Use for Reviews and Commentary: Stay Legal While Creating Valuable Content
Fair Use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission, especially for purposes like criticism, commentary, reviews, education, or parody. It’s a powerful tool for content creators, bloggers, and YouTubers — if used correctly.
What Is Fair Use?
Fair use is part of U.S. copyright law, and it gives you the right to use parts of someone else’s content when:
•You are commenting on it, reviewing it, or criticizing it
•You transform it by adding new meaning, insight, or commentary
•You use only a small, necessary portion of the original
•You are not replacing the original work or harming its value
When and How to Use Fair Use (Properly)
1. Transform the Original Content
You must add your own thoughts, explanations, or analysis. You can't just upload a song or movie clip — you need to comment on it, teach from it, or parody it.
2. Use Only What’s Necessary
Use short clips, small quotes, or limited screenshots — just enough to support your review or commentary.
3. Avoid Affecting the Market for the Original
If your content replaces the original, it’s not fair use. But if you’re analyzing or reviewing the original, you’re on safer ground.
4. Always Add Value
Your content should inform, educate, criticize, or entertain in a new way.
Examples of Fair Use in Action
1. YouTube Review Videos
Example Title:
“Why the New Batman Movie Is Overrated – Honest Review”
You can use short clips or images from the movie (5–15 seconds max) and discuss scenes, acting, or storylines — as long as your commentary is the main focus.
2. Blog Reviews
Example Title:
“iPhone 16 Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?”
You might include:
•1 or 2 promotional images (with attribution)
•A summary of product features
•Your personal opinion, experience, or test results
3. Reaction or Commentary Videos
You can react to:
•A viral video
•A news clip
•A piece of music
As long as you pause and talk over the content, or make editorial comments, that’s typically protected under fair use.
4. Parodies and Satire
Changing the tone of a song or movie for humor or criticism also falls under fair use.
Example:
A comedy video making fun of overly dramatic scenes in romantic films, using edited clips or remade scenes.
Key Fair Use Factors (According to U.S. Law)
1. Purpose of Use – Commentary, criticism, education = more likely fair
2. Nature of Work – Fact-based works are safer than fiction
3. Amount Used – Use only what’s necessary
4. Effect on Market – You shouldn't harm the value or sales of the original
Fair Use and Monetization
You can monetize fair use content if:
•Your video or article is transformative
•You give clear context (commentary/review/satire)
•You don’t use the full copyrighted material
Examples:
•YouTube review channels earning via ads and memberships
•Tech review blogs earning through AdSense or affiliate links
•TikTok reaction clips that are edited and educational
Tips for Staying Safe
•Add clear titles like “Review,” “Reaction,” or “Commentary”
•Use disclaimers: “This video falls under Fair Use (17 U.S.C. § 107)...”
•Don’t rely on Fair Use for entire uploads of copyrighted work
•If unsure, consider Creative Commons content instead
05 How to Legally Embed Posts or Videos in Your Blog Without Copyright Problems
One of the safest and most efficient ways to include rich media (like videos, tweets, or Instagram posts) in your blog is by embedding them. Embedding allows you to display content from another source (like YouTube or Twitter) without copying or downloading it — which helps you stay clear of copyright violations.
What Is Embedding?
Embedding means placing a piece of media from another website (like a YouTube video or a tweet) into your own blog or site using a special code.
For example, you can embed:
YouTube videos
Instagram photos
Tweets
Facebook posts
Google Maps
The original content remains hosted on the source site — your site just displays it.
Why Embedding Is Legal (Most of the Time)
Embedding is usually legal because:
•You are not copying or hosting the content yourself.
•The embedded content links back to the original.
•Platforms like YouTube and Twitter provide embed codes specifically for public sharing.
However, you must embed only publicly available content that the user has chosen to share publicly.
Examples of Legal Embedding
1. Embedding a YouTube Video
If you’re writing a blog post about a movie review, you can embed a relevant YouTube video:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xyz123" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Example Post Title:
“Top 5 Emotional Scenes in Film History [With Video Clips]”
Make sure the video is public and not marked "for kids" (some restrictions apply).
2. Embedding Tweets in an Article
Let’s say you’re blogging about a celebrity’s opinion. Instead of copying and pasting the text, embed the original tweet using Twitter’s embed tool.
Example:
“Elon Musk’s Tweet on AI Regulation Sparks Debate”
Readers can click the tweet, visit the profile, and verify the source.
3. Embedding Instagram Photos
If you're blogging about a travel destination or a recipe, you can embed a related Instagram post:
Example Blog Topic:
“This Traditional Sri Lankan Dish Went Viral — Here’s Why”
Use Instagram’s “Embed” option (available on public posts only).
Benefits of Embedding
•No copyright risk when content is public and embedded properly
•Saves hosting space on your blog
•Increases credibility by showing content from original sources
•Better user engagement with clickable, interactive media
When Embedding Is NOT Allowed
•Embedding private or restricted content
•Using tools or plugins to embed content that was meant to be hidden
•Circumventing paywalls or member-only content
If the original uploader deletes or makes the post private, your embed will stop working — so avoid depending too heavily on embeds.
How to Embed Safely
1. Always use the platform’s official embed feature
(e.g., YouTube’s “Share > Embed” or Twitter’s “</> Embed Tweet”)
2. Avoid modifying the embed code in a way that misrepresents the original
3. Give context — write a paragraph explaining why the content is included
4. Never download and reupload someone else’s content — embed instead
06 How to Use AI Tools to Generate Original Content Without Copyright Issues
Creating high-quality content regularly is one of the biggest challenges for bloggers, marketers, and online business owners. But with the rise of AI tools, it's now possible to generate original, copyright-free content quickly and efficiently.
In this article, you’ll learn how to use AI tools to generate your own content safely, along with examples and tips to stay legal and creative.
What Are AI Tools?
AI content tools use Artificial Intelligence to understand prompts and generate human-like text, images, scripts, or even music. These tools are designed to help you write blog posts, create video scripts, develop social media content, and much more — in minutes.
Popular AI writing tools include:
•ChatGPT (by OpenAI)
•Jasper AI
•Writesonic
•Copy.ai
•Rytr
•QuillBot (for rewriting/paraphrasing)
Benefits of Using AI Tools for Content Creation
•Original Content: AI generates fresh content based on your input — it’s not copied from existing pages.
•No Copyright Infringement: If you use AI tools properly and edit the output, you're legally safe.
•Saves Time & Money: No need to hire a full-time writer.
•Supports Multiple Languages: Create content in Sinhala, English, Tamil, etc.
•Boosts SEO: Many tools provide keyword-rich content ready for ranking.
Examples of How to Use AI Tools
1. Write a Blog Article
Prompt: “Write a 1000-word blog post about how to start affiliate marketing for beginners in Sri Lanka.”
Tool: ChatGPT / Jasper
Result: Full blog with intro, tips, subheadings, and conclusion.
2. Generate a YouTube Script
Prompt: “Create a 2-minute script about healthy Sri Lankan breakfast ideas.”
Tool: Writesonic
Result: Engaging, structured script for voiceover or on-camera video.
3. Social Media Captions
Prompt: “Write 5 Instagram captions for a handmade jewelry business.”
Tool: Copy.ai
Result: Attractive, trending captions ready for posting.
Best Practices When Using AI Tools
1. Edit the Output: Don’t publish AI content as-is. Add your voice, facts, and insights.
2. Check for Plagiarism: Use tools like Grammarly, Quetext, or Copyscape to verify uniqueness.
3. Fact-Check the Information: AI may occasionally provide outdated or incorrect facts.
4. Use Clear Prompts: The better your instructions, the better the result.
5. Avoid Overusing AI: Use it to assist — not replace — your creativity.
How to Earn Money Using AI Content
•Start a blog and monetize with Google AdSense or affiliate links
•Run a YouTube channel using AI-generated video scripts
•Offer freelance writing services using AI to speed up your workflow
•Sell ebooks or guides made with AI content
•Create and sell social media content packs for other businesses
07 How to Use PLR (Private Label Rights) Content Without Copyright Issues
If you’re looking to build a blog or start an online business without writing everything from scratch, PLR content can be a powerful shortcut — if used correctly.
But what exactly is PLR content? Is it legal to use? Can you monetize it?
Let’s break it all down.
What Is PLR Content?
PLR (Private Label Rights) content is pre-written material (articles, ebooks, courses, videos, etc.) that you can legally modify, publish, and even sell as your own — depending on the license terms.
You usually get PLR content from online sellers, marketplaces, or membership sites.
What You Can Typically Do With PLR Content
Most PLR licenses allow you to:
•Edit and rewrite the content
•Add your name as the author
•Publish on blogs, emails, or eBooks
•Sell as a product or use as a bonus
•Translate into other languages (e.g., Sinhala)
However, always read the specific license terms, because some PLR sellers restrict resale, giveaways, or publishing on public websites.
Where to Find PLR Content
Trusted PLR sources include:
•IDPLR.com
•PLR.me
•BuyQualityPLR.com
•Resell Rights Weekly
•BigProductStore.com
Some of them offer free PLR products to get started.
How to Use PLR Content the Right Way (and Avoid Copyright Issues)
Using PLR “as-is” is not recommended. Here’s how to do it properly:
1. Rewrite the Content in Your Own Words
Instead of copying the PLR article directly, rewrite it to match your style. This avoids duplication penalties from Google and makes it original.
Example:
PLR Title: “10 Ways to Lose Weight Fast”
Your Version: “Smart & Natural Weight Loss Tips You Can Start Today”
2. Add Personal Examples and Updates
PLR content can be outdated. Add modern examples or your personal experience to make it more engaging.
3. Translate It Into Another Language (like Sinhala)
Most PLR content is in English. You can translate and publish it in Sinhala for a unique audience.
4. Turn PLR into Multiple Formats
•Break blog articles into social media posts
•Convert eBooks into video scripts
•Turn reports into email sequences
5. Add Images, Formatting, and SEO
Make it visually appealing. Add headlines, bullet points, internal links, and copyright-free images from Pixabay, Pexels, or Unsplash.
Monetization Ideas Using PLR Content
•Start a blog and post rewritten PLR articles
•Sell eBooks or courses made from PLR
•Offer content writing services using PLR as a base
•Create a freebie lead magnet to grow your email list
•Build a YouTube channel with PLR video scripts or narrations
PLR Pros & Cons
Final Tips
•Always check the PLR license terms
•Never publish without rewriting
•Use plagiarism checkers to ensure uniqueness
•Mix PLR with your own ideas or AI tools for best results
Conclusion
Even if you don't have the ability or time to create completely original content from scratch, there are many effective and legal, copyright-free methods you can use to build and grow your blog or online business.
To do this successfully, you need to:
•Understand the legal ways to use third-party content
•Modify or repurpose existing content to make it your own
•Add your own original touch, opinion, or insight
By following these strategies, you can:
•Create high-quality, SEO-friendly blog posts
•Build trust and transparency with your audience
•Establish passive income streams over time
So remember — earning online without violating copyright laws is not only possible, but practical and sustainable.
With the right tools and smart content practices, you can grow your blog and income legally and ethically.