Media liability insurance is a specialized form of errors and omissions policy specifically designed for media clients who are at risk from liability claims brought by third parties.
This type of policy is usually purchased by publishers, broadcasters, advertising agencies, authors, and other related firms that create and distribute media content through various platforms.
Typically written on a claim made basis, media liability insurance provides coverage against defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, plagiarism, intentional torts and related liabilities.
Whether you are an online blogger, film producer, advertising company, news publisher, digital marketing company, or social media influencer, a media liability policy protects you from claim types that are unique to media professionals and for which you can be held financially responsible.
Who should buy Media Liability Insurance?
If your business deals with the following activities or have a direct relation with these industries, then having media liability insurance is highly recommended:
Media liability coverage includes the following but may not be limited to:
Defamation is the act of damaging another person, product, group, or business' reputation. When false statements are verbalized, they are called slander. But when they are printed in words or images, it is then classified as libel.
Defined as the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s original work. If it is proven that the content you present was made by someone else, you can be held legally responsible for using content without authorization.
If you reproduce, distribute, perform, or display a protected work without permission, you are violating the exclusive rights of the copyright holder. Just like plagiarism, copyright infringement is a common risk in the world of media and entertainment.
Invasion of privacy is the unjustifiable intrusion into the personal life of another without proper consent. It includes disclosing his or her private information, publicizing the person in a false light, or using his or her name for personal gain.
Problem: Your small production company recently filmed and published a short movie about teen students. It was a huge success but one music publisher sued you for copyright infringement, claiming that you used their song without obtaining a license.
Solution: Should you have media liability in place, the insurance company will cover all legal defense expenses and settlement charges, subject to your chosen coverage limits.
Problem: You recently launched your own cosmetic collection online to increase sales and boost product visibility. However, a cosmetic company contacted you for using the same brand logo and warns to file charges against you for trademark infringement.
Solution: If you have media liability insurance, your policy can cover the cost of your legal defense as well as your liability for damages, subject to the coverage limits you choose.