If you’re podcasting as a business, you can’t afford to skip the legal groundwork—contracts, trademarks, and protections aren’t just red tape; they’re your safety net.In Episode 48 of the PodcastingTech Show, we’re cracking open the playbook to help you dodge costly errors, secure your brand, and future-proof your podcast. Our Guest? Gordon Firemark—aka “<a href="https://www.gordonfiremark.com/media" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Podcast Lawyer</a>,” who has been a guiding force in the podcasting industry for over 16 years. Whether you’re launching your first show or navigating the complexities of a growing media brand, Gordon’s legal expertise is the gold standard for podcasters seeking to protect their content, brand, and business.Gordon Firemark isn’t just an entertainment attorney—he’s one of the first lawyers to specialize in podcasting, host of the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@gfiremark/videos" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> "Entertainment Law Update</a>" and <a href="https://legitpodcastpro.captivate.fm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Legit Podcast Pro,”</a> and the creator behind<a href="https://www.gordonfiremark.com/easylegal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Easy Legal for Podcasters</a> and <a href="http://podcastlawforms.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PodcastLawForms.com</a>, resources that help podcasters demystify the legal maze.Join Mathew and Gordon as they break down how intellectual property, trademarks, business structures, and guest release forms can make the difference between a hobby show and a professional brand. Gordon reveals the most common legal pitfalls podcasters face at every stage and discover why AI-generated content is a legal gray area, how the DMCA protects indie creators, and what most podcasters get wrong about using copyrighted music and show titles.IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:<ul><li>How Gordon got into podcasting and why he focused his legal practice on podcasters (00:00:54)</li><li>The biggest legal stumbles for new (and seasoned) podcasters: from neglecting contracts to missing trademarks (00:03:40)</li><li>Why every multi-host show needs a “podcast prenup” and what a guest release form protects against (00:05:03, 00:11:02)</li><li>The truth about using music or clips you don’t own: DMCA, nuisance lawsuits, and the myth of fair use (00:08:03, 00:19:18)</li><li>How AI-generated content complicates copyright—and why you might not even own your AI-created episodes (00:13:25)</li><li>What to do if your work gets stolen by another show or network (00:16:54)</li><li>Gordon’s tech and industry wish list: improving podcast discoverability and smarter monetization for creators (00:24:47)</li></ul> Links and resources mentioned in this episode:<ul><li>Learn more about Gordon Firemark:<a href="https://gordonfiremark.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://gordonfiremark.com</a></li><li>Easy Legal for Podcasters course:<a href="https://easylegalforpodcasters.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://easylegalforpodcasters.com</a></li><li>Podcast Law Forms and free guest release template:<a href="https://podcastlawforms.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://podcastlawforms.com</a></li><li>Legit Podcast Pro (Gordon’s own podcast):<a href="https://podcastlawyer.com/legit-podcast-pro-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://podcastlawyer.com/legit-podcast-pro-podcast/</a></li><li>Connect with Mathew Passy:<a href="https://mathewdpassy.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://mathewdpassy.com</a></li><li>Connect with Gordon Firemark on Social Media: <a href="https://linkedin.com/in/gfiremarl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Linkedin</a></li></ul> <a href="https://youtube.com/gfiremark" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Youtube</a><a href="https://instagram.com/gordonfiremark" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a><a href="https://facebook.com/podcastlaw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a><ul><li>Discover Gordon’s favourite podcasts: Colin Boyd’s “The Expert Edge” podcast:<a href="https://colinboyd.co/expertedge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://colinboyd.co/expertedge/</a></li><li>Amy Porterfield’s Online Marketing Made Easy podcast:<a href="https://www.amyporterfield.com/amy-porterfield-podcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.amyporterfield.com/amy-porterfield-podcast/</a></li><li>DMCA info:<a href="https://www.copyright.gov/dmca-directory/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.copyright.gov/dmca-directory/</a></li></ul> ﻿**As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases of podcasting gear from <a href="http://amazon.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="ql-size-small">Amazon.com</a>. We also participate in affiliate programs with many of the software services mentioned on our website.&nbsp;If you purchase something through the links we provide, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The team at Podcasting Tech only recommends products and services that we would use ourselves and that we believe will provide value to our viewers and readers.**For additional resources and insights visit <a href="https://podcastingtech.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcastingtech.com</a> or follow us on social media:<ul><li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mathewpassy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@mathewpassy</a> </li><li>LinkedIn - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewpassy/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">/mathewpassy</a></li><li>Threads: <a href="https://www.threads.net/@mathewpassy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@mathewpassy</a></li><li>Twitter/X: <a href="https://twitter.com/mathewpassy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@mathewpassy</a></li><li>Facebook - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/podcastingtech" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">/podcastingtech</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mathewpassy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">/mathewpassy</a></li></ul> PODCASTING TECH IS POWERED BY:<ul><li><a href="https://swiy.co/Lfwd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Captivate - Easy, professional podcast hosting to create, grow and make money from your podcasts</a></li><li><a href="https://swiy.co/LfwU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Podpage - Build a beautiful podcast website in 5 minutes</a></li><li><a href="https://swiy.co/Lfwe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Riverside.fm - Record Podcasts And Videos From Anywhere</a></li><li><a href="https://swiy.co/Lfwf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Castmagic - 10x Audio Content With AI</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.podmatch.com/?ref=1724958870077983fd74138ff" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Podmatch - Matching Hosts and Guest for Podcast Interviews</a></li><li><a href="https://hostinger.com?REFERRALCODE=1MATHEW43" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hostinger for Website</a></li><li><a href="https://swiy.co/LfwW" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Podgagement - Engage your audience and grow your podcast!</a></li></ul> EQUIPMENT IN USE:<ul><li>Rodecaster Pro 1st Gen (No longer available). Consider the <a href="https://amzn.to/4b8jT0u" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rodecaster Duo</a> or <a href="https://amzn.to/47QemZL" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rodecaster Pro II</a> </li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3SbmZrZ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EV RE20 with 309a Shockmount</a>&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3u4JMO7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rode PSA1+</a></li><li>iPhone continuity camera but previously the <a href="https://amzn.to/3SvPtOI" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Logitech Brio 4k </a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/3HuGgj5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DCMEKA In-Ear Monitors</a></li><li><a href="https://amzn.to/4b3skuh" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BusyBox Smart Sign</a> &nbsp;</li></ul>

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