Today we’re talking about what happens when your work gets taken.
Used without your permission.
Or used without proper compensation.
Or used in ways you never agreed to.
Unfortunately, these situations aren’t rare. They’re a real part of the freelance landscape — especially in creative industries.
This topic came top of mind for me after listening to a recent episode of the podcast Canadaland called “The Freelancer’s Guide to Getting Revenge When You’ve Been Ripped Off.” In it, host Jesse Brown shares a personal experience, alongside illustrator Raymond Biesinger, who talks candidly about the many times his work has been copied or misused over the course of his career.
It got me thinking about how we protect our voices, our ideas, and our work in today’s freelance world.
However, this isn’t legal advice. If you’re facing a specific situation, speak to a qualified legal professional. What I want to offer here is a way for you to think about the issue and how it might relate to the work you’re producing.
What Does “Ripped Off” Actually Mean?
Having your creative work stolen, copied, or misused hits a nerve for most freelancers. And “ripped off” can look like a lot of different things:
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A client who simply… never pays
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Work being reused beyond the scope of your contract
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A logo, illustration, voiceover, or article appearing somewhere it was never licensed to appear
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Outright IP theft — someone claiming your work as their own
From non-payment to unauthorized use, this doesn’t just happen to beginners. It happens to experienced professionals, too.
And in the age of AI, scraping tools, and instant redistribution, it’s easier than ever for work to be copied, remixed, and shared at scale — often with less clear recourse.
This doesn’t mean your work has no value.
It does mean we need to be more intentional about protecting it.
Why It Matters More Than We Admit
Getting ripped off hurts more than your feelings.
Financial impact
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Lost income when someone uses your work for free
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Unpaid invoices
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Time and money spent chasing payment or correcting misuse
Emotional impact
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Anger
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Self-doubt
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The sinking feeling of “Did I do something wrong?”
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The power imbalance of being one freelancer facing a larger company
And then there’s the opportunity cost.
The time and energy you spend fighting misuse is time you’re not spending on:
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Paid work
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Marketing or auditioning
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Rest and peace of mind
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Building the business you actually want
One of the hardest questions freelancers face is:
Do I pursue this… or do I let it go?
Sometimes it’s worth pushing back:
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When the financial impact is significant
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When misuse is ongoing
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When precedent matters for your long-term business
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When a client may simply be acting out of ignorance
Other times — as frustrating as it is — letting it go protects your energy and keeps you moving forward.
There is no universal right answer. It’s a calculation that includes money, time, emotional bandwidth, and support.
Practical Protection Without Paranoia
So what can we do — realistically — to reduce how often this happens and how much damage it does?
1. Get Clear in Writing
Clear contracts matter.
Spell out:
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Fees
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Usage
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Duration
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Territory
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Revisions
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Payment terms
Not because you don’t trust people — but because clarity protects everyone.
2. Build Friction Into Delivery
Contracts alone aren’t enough. Add practical safeguards:
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Watermark visual or audio work until final payment clears
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Send low-resolution previews instead of full files
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Deliver work in stages
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Require a deposit — ideally 50% up front
Deposits don’t make you “difficult.”
They filter out people who were never going to pay.
3. Lean on Community
Freelancers watching each other’s backs is powerful.
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Share red flags
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Warn others about bad actors
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Alert peers if you see their work used improperly
Your network isn’t just for referrals.
It’s for protection.
Responding Strategically If It Happens
If you discover your work being used without permission:
Start calm.
Often, a clear and professional message stating:
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That the work is yours
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How it’s being used outside the agreement
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What you want to happen next
…is enough.
Many people don’t expect you to notice.
They don’t expect a human being behind the work.
You don’t need to threaten.
You don’t need to rant.
You need clarity, documentation, and a paper trail.
Escalate only if necessary:
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Follow-up emails
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Contacting a supervisor, legal department, or communications team
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Requesting platform takedowns
And yes, there are times when legal advice is worth it:
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Significant financial loss
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Ongoing misuse
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Large companies benefiting from your work
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Situations involving serious power imbalance
Sometimes, one consultation is enough to clarify your options — even if you don’t pursue formal action.
And here’s the hardest truth:
Sometimes letting it go is also a valid business decision.
Not because it doesn’t matter.
But because your time, energy, and nervous system matter too.
Protection Isn’t Walling Yourself Off From the Evil World Beyond
It isn’t about becoming guarded or bitter.
It’s about setting yourself up so that when things go wrong — and sometimes they will — you’re not starting from zero.
You’re informed.
You’re supported.
And you’re choosing your next step on purpose.
If big tech and engineering firms reap the benefits of what they build, so should creative professionals.
Your work has value.
Protect it accordingly.
This article is based on an episode of my Freelance Fitness podcast, where I combine short workouts with honest conversations about building a sustainable creative freelance business. If you work in video production, audio production, or any creative field and want business advice without hustle culture nonsense, you’re in the right place.
