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AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023
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WHO OWNS WHAT YOU POST ONLINE? SOCIAL MEDIA’S FINE PRINT
What role does licensing play? Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and the like are only allowed to post your content because you, as the copyright holder, have licensed it to them. Essentially, when you agree to these apps’ terms and services, you consent to their licensing agreements hidden in the fine print most people don’t read. Every time you clicked “I agree” to the terms and services of a social media site, you entered a legally binding licensing contract with that company, allowing them to use your copyrighted content “royalty-free” — meaning if they did sell the material to make money, you won’t see a penny of it. So, who actually owns your social media content? This is what we meant by complicated because you own your content by copyright standards. However, at the same time, you have given every social media platform you’re using the permission to use them however they see fit — including for a profit. That means that while Facebook may not be actively poaching the images from your “Samantha Gets Braces” album, you have no legal recourse if you see little Samantha’s beautiful smile in an orthodontics ad on TV or the internet.
If you use social media, you likely have many photos, videos, or other content posted to your page online. And for some, that’s where it ends — these online sites are a great place to share things with our families and friends. But in today’s digital world, what people post online is equivalent to currency, with some influencers earning hundreds of thousands of dollars per post. When posting on the internet becomes a full-time job, a side hustle, or even just a meaningful place to store precious memories, the question should be asked, “Who actually owns the content?” It’s easy to forget that many of these platforms are, at their core, a business, and they don’t always have your best interests in mind. So if your content would make them thousands of dollars a year by acquiring or appears to be something they could make money by selling or exploiting, do they have that right?
The answer is it’s complicated. To start, let’s go over some copyright basics.
What about copyright? Many people’s first response to whether or not social media platforms can use their content is, “Well, what about copyright?” Technically speaking, the moment you bring an original “work” into existence, you own it. And a “work” is considered anything you write, draw, photograph, or record that is original and unique. But before you think your content is completely safe, you must know that while you own the work, social media platforms can still do what they want. This is thanks to a little thing called licensing.
Unfortunately, deleting your account may not solve the issue. For example, while Facebook agrees that it’ll terminate the agreement when you delete your
account, licensing agreements for Instagram and Twitter last forever.
If you find this information unnerving, we get it. Our advice to anyone worried about their content being stolen, sold, or exploited is simple: If you don’t want to see it in an ad or for someone else to use it for their own purposes, don’t post it.
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KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME FOR A REPLACEMENT Become a Roof Whisperer
Picture this: You wake up one morning to find your neighbor replacing their roof. A few days later, the neighbor on the other side replaces their roof. Before you know it, everyone in the neighborhood is replacing their roof. Do you need to replace yours now? How soon you need to replace your roof depends on the materials used and the weather conditions it has faced during its lifetime. Most roofs are outfitted with asphalt shingles, which have an average lifespan of 20–25 years. If you’ve lived in your home for a significant amount of time, you likely know how old your roof is and can estimate when it will need to be replaced. If you’ve recently moved
into a new home, and the previous owners had no idea when the roof was last replaced, you can find clues that reveal your roof’s age. Those living in a suburb full of houses constructed at the same time can look to their neighbors for guidance. If your neighbors are replacing their roofs, that likely means it’s time to have someone inspect yours. For those whose homes were built at a different time than their neighbors, you need to examine your shingles. Have you noticed any missing shingles on your roof or found any while mowing the lawn? Are your shingles starting to cup,
curl in, or crack? Is your roof sagging? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should have someone look at your roof as soon as possible, as it likely needs to be replaced. Another telltale sign is water damage anywhere inside your home. Once you think your roof needs to be replaced, it’s time to make some calls. If you think it needs to be replaced due to weather damage, file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance to see if they’ll cover the replacement. If weather wasn’t a factor and your shingles have reached the end of their lifespan, call local roofing companies to get quotes and find one that fits your budget.
Even Beyoncé Owes Them Money! YOU’RE NOT ALONE WHEN DEALING WITH THE IRS
After filing your taxes, a thought that may race through your mind is, “I hope the IRS doesn’t come after me.” Thousands, if not millions, of people are in the same boat — including celebrities. Many celebrities have been in trouble with the IRS, such as Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Shakira, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Nicolas Cage, and more. However, we can add another A-List celebrity to this list who filed a petition against the IRS: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. On Jan. 18, 2023, Beyoncé received a Notice of Deficiency, which outlined the amount of money she owed to the IRS. The organization estimated the singer owes $805,850 in taxes and $161,170 in penalties for 2018 plus $1,442,747 in taxes and $288,549 in penalties for 2019.
That’s almost $2.7 million that the “Crazy in Love” artist must pay!
Beyoncé filed a petition against the IRS’ claims on April 17, 2023, and asked them to reassess the penalties and amount of taxes she owes. According to Beyoncé’s lawyer, Michael C. Cohen, the singer should get an itemized deduction of $868,766 since she donated to charity in 2018. Beyoncé founded the BeyGood Foundation, an organization created in 2013 that assists others with education, disaster relief, mental health, and other issues. However, at the time of writing, it’s unclear which charities she donated to. Additionally, Beyoncé’s petition states that the IRS allegedly disallowed portions of Beyoncé’s business income deductions, utilities, insurance, management fees,
and legal and professional services in 2018 and 2019. Furthermore, Cohen argues that even if she owes any tax deficiency payments, the penalty shouldn’t apply because Beyoncé has “acted reasonably and in good faith.” A court hearing has yet to be scheduled at the time of writing. But the former Destiny’s Child member’s lawyer told PEOPLE magazine that they “are working with the IRS and anticipate that the matter will be resolved shortly.”
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What Are Your Rights Regarding Construction? STOP ALL THE RACKET!
During August, it seems like there’s construction everywhere. No matter where you look, dozens of neon orange cones and workers in high-visibility vests! That’s because August is a busy part of “construction season” in most of the country. You’ll experience commuter detours, loud and jarring noises, and even damaged property! But do you have any legal rights when it comes to construction? Can you sue if it becomes too disruptive or causes you to lose sleep? So, whether you have a neighbor who loves DIY projects or if you’re experiencing frequent construction in your area, here’s what you need to know. For Homeowners Whether your neighbors are building a back deck or renovating their garage, they must perform these activities in a way that doesn’t obstruct or disturb you
and your property. Having an open line of communication is vital. You can talk to your neighbor about the noise and ask if they can work during certain times of the day or tell you when there will be loud noises. Additionally, cities and neighborhoods have ordinances that explain when you can make loud noises and when “quiet hours” are in effect. So, if your neighbor or nearby construction is making excessive noises
apartment, you can call your police department’s non-emergency line if they are making loud noises during quiet hours and file a complaint with your landlord. Construction can be an inconvenience. Therefore, if you continue to hear noises from your neighbors or construction workers, you can file a noise complaint through your police department’s non- emergency line. However, if
outside the permitted hours, you have the right to file a complaint with your local police department.
your property is damaged because of construction, you have every right to hold the at-fault party
responsible and sue.
For Renters You have limited options as a renter. If construction occurs, you can check your lease or bylaws to see what hours
If you have any questions about your rights as a homeowner or renter, please contact a lawyer today for more information. They can guide you in the right direction when attempting to resolve these issues.
construction can take place. If you have noisy neighbors who like to renovate their
Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
“I am an out of towner and ran into some trouble in Tennessee. I found Johnny Houston online and I could not be more satisfied with the outcome of my case. Johnny was honest, stayed in contact, and I believe could not have done a better job. I highly recommend Johnny Houston and I thank him and his team for everything they did for me! I can breathe again!” –Samantha What Our Clients Are Saying
• 1 16-oz jar roasted red bell peppers, drained • 5 garlic cloves • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar • 2 tsp honey • 1 tsp kosher salt • 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/2 cup olive oil • 4 6-oz skin-on halibut fillets Ingredients
Directions
1. In a food processor or blender, mix bell peppers, garlic, vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Transfer sauce to a bowl; whisk in oil. 2. Into a large plastic zipper bag, pour 1 cup of sauce; add halibut fillets
and seal bag; turn to coat fillets. Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Reserve remaining sauce for serving.
3. Preheat a grill to medium-high
(400–450 F). Remove halibut from marinade; scrape off excess. 4. On oiled grill grates, arrange fillets and grill, covered, until fish flakes easily, 4–5 minutes per side. 5. Transfer fillets to serving plates or a
large platter. Drizzle with reserved sauce. Serve alongside preferred veggies and crusty bread.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE Yes, Social Media Companies Can Use Your Posts Beyoncé Owes the IRS How Much Money?! Cracks, Leaks, and Worn-Out Peaks Can You Sue Over Noisy Construction? Grilled Halibut With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Testimonial Are You Exercising in the Right Place? PAGE 1 PAGE 2 PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 3 PAGE 3 PAGE 4
WHY OUTDOOR MOVEMENT IS BETTER WHERE YOU EXERCISE MATTERS
We all know exercise is good for our physical and mental health. But whether we’re going on a jog through nature or clocking minutes on a treadmill, it’s all the same — right? A recent study suggests there may be a crucial difference. There is mounting evidence that where you exercise matters. A small study from the University of Victoria recently researched the benefits of “green exercise,” or that performed in nature. The authors of the 2023 paper found that physical activity in natural surroundings had benefits beyond those generally associated with movement. Study participants who went on 15-minute walks outside saw improvements in memory and concentration more significantly than when they performed the same exercise indoors. Neuroscientists behind the research can only guess why these results occurred. Some experts believe being out in nature helps us relax and quiet our brains. Additional research also demonstrates that people generally find outdoor exercise less physically taxing than indoor varieties — even when the outdoor exercise is quite strenuous.
through the park than spending the same time on a stationary bike in your basement. Exercise on gym equipment can also be tedious, and many people spend the bulk of their time staring at the clock, counting down the minutes until they’re finished. We’re less likely to have that problem outside.
Unsurprisingly, doctors argue that any physical activity is better than none. Using gym equipment will provide far more benefits than sitting on your couch. But when you have the option to exercise outdoors, you should take it. Just remember that all outdoor exercise is not created equal. The Washington Post reports that outdoor activity in urban areas surrounded by concrete does not appear to have the same benefits as exercise in quieter, greener places. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to see an impact. From a mental health perspective, 15 minutes of green exercise at a time seems to be ideal. So, get out as much as you can. And when you’re stuck inside due to weather or other circumstances, continue to make the most of it with as much exercise as possible.
These findings confirm something you may have already expected to be true. You probably feel better after a bike ride
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