From the Experts: Company vs. Employee Ownership of Social Media Assets

Who owns a social media account? The answer to this question should be obvious, but it’s not always clear-cut.

The rise of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn has been a boon to companies and brands in search of new and innovative marketing forums. They allow companies to interact with new and existing customers on a micro-level and respond to consumer demands in real time. Yet these same social media sites are a bane to in-house and outside counsel alike, creating legal thickets in previously unknown areas. One particular area that has been complicated by social media sites involves this very simple question: Who owns social media assets accessed or controlled by company employees? 

Reprinted with permission from the August 20, 2012 edition of CORPORATE COUNSEL. © 2012 ALM Media Properties, LLC. This article appears online only. All rights reserved. Further duplication without permission is prohibited. For information, contact 877-257-3382 or reprints@alm.com.