Whether you’re building your online presence, producing music, or designing visual art, understanding the principles of ethical and lawful creativity is essential. This guide, inspired by Gigred’s commitment to responsible digital creation, explores the key standards that protect creators, clients, and communities alike. It aims to foster fairness, originality, and mutual respect across every creative collaboration on the Gigred platform.
Understanding Third-Party Rights
According to Gigred’s Community Standards, a third party refers to any individual or organization, other than Gigred, that may be indirectly connected to the services users provide or request. In a collaborative digital marketplace, respecting the rights and ownership of others is essential to maintaining trust, transparency, and the authenticity of creative outcomes.
To preserve the integrity of our community, Gigred requires all users to uphold ethical practices by respecting the wider Internet ecosystem and adhering to the Terms of Service (TOS) of other platforms, tools, and companies they may interact with during their projects.
Adhering to Licensed Material and Beyond
Incorporating external elements such as images, music, or themes can elevate your creative work and add unique depth to your projects. However, maintaining transparency is essential. If you use third-party content, you must clearly disclose it and avoid presenting it as your own original creation. Always review the licensing terms of any external materials you include, and confirm that your rights to use them extend to commercial or client-based projects.
Tips for Freelancers
1. Respect intellectual property rights:
Before using any third-party elements, carefully review their licensing terms to ensure compliance. This helps prevent accidental violations and demonstrates professionalism in respecting intellectual property.
2. Communicate with honesty:
If your work includes third-party assets, be upfront with your clients. Clarify any additional costs or licensing fees associated with these materials to avoid misunderstandings later on.
3. Set clear expectations in your Gig:
For example, if you provide development services for platforms like Shopify or WordPress and use licensed themes or plugins, mention this clearly in your Gig description. You can also include the additional costs in the “Gig extras” section to maintain transparency.
Tips for Clients
1. Stay informed:
When hiring freelancers, ask about the origin of any third-party components involved in your project. Confirm that the freelancer holds the proper rights or licenses for any themes, music, images, or plugins they intend to use.
2. Provide your own materials when possible:
If you already own licensed assets or custom resources, share them with your freelancer. This ensures your project is built using content you control and minimizes the risk of licensing issues or copyright disputes.
By fostering transparency and respecting intellectual property rights, Gigred helps create a responsible, trustworthy, and professional creative marketplace—where collaboration thrives without compromising ethical or legal standards.
General Guidelines
✅ Always verify IP ownership:
Even content that appears free or is easily accessible online may still be protected under copyright law. A smart and responsible rule of thumb is to assume that all creative material—text, images, videos, code, or music—comes with some form of intellectual property protection unless clearly stated otherwise. Taking a moment to confirm usage rights can prevent serious legal or ethical issues later.
✅ Keep proper documentation:
When collaborating or incorporating third-party materials into your projects, always maintain clear records of licenses, permissions, and communications. This documentation serves as credible proof of your right to use such content if any copyright or ownership questions ever arise.
By nurturing a culture of transparency, respect, and accountability, Gigred continues to promote a digital marketplace where creativity and legality work hand in hand. Our freelancers and clients alike share the responsibility of upholding copyright, licensing, and third-party rights—ensuring that every project created on Gigred remains authentic, lawful, and built on mutual trust.