Medium’s New Copyright Terms Of Service Are Causing A Scare

Summary

Medium's updated copyright terms of service have raised concerns among content creators about potential uncompensated use of their work for promotional purposes, prompting some to consider leaving the platform.

Abstract

Medium introduced new terms of service concerning copyright and compensation on September 1, 2020, which initially caused confusion and panic among its users. Despite Medium's clarification that it does not claim ownership of the content and will not sell it, there is still apprehension about the platform using content for promotion without additional compensation. This is particularly concerning for writers in the Partner Program who feel they are already underpaid for their work. The author of the article is seeking a definitive answer to clarify the terms and is considering moving to another platform if Medium can use their content without compensation. The author also suggests that Medium's CEO should provide a clear statement to address the inconsistencies between the new terms of service and the clarification provided on the Medium Blog.

Opinions

The author initially believed they needed to delete their content and move to another platform due to the new terms of service.
There is skepticism about whether Medium's clarification truly means that content creators are not giving the platform permission to use their material for promotional purposes without compensation.
The author feels that the compensation through Medium's Partner Program is insufficient, and the idea of Medium profiting from their work without additional payment is unsettling.
The author is looking for other platforms and considering promoting their own website as a backup plan.
The author is frustrated with the legalese in the new terms of service and suggests that Medium should use the plain language from the blog post in their official terms to avoid confusion.
The author is overwhelmed by the situation, especially considering they are also looking for a job and a new place to live.
The author sees the current situation as a motivator to explore other opportunities and has already started taking action towards finding alternatives to Medium.

Medium’s New Copyright Terms Of Service Are Causing A Scare

Some are saying goodbye, but I need a little more info before I go…

Effective September 1, 2020, Medium changed its terms of service with regard to copyright, use of our materials and compensation. Initially, I thought I had to delete all my work and move to another platform to share my work and whinings.

Then they published the following clarification:

This license doesn’t give Medium permission to sell your content to a third party, and we’ll never do that. You’re not granting us permission to use your content outside of Medium. You’re also not granting us copyright to, or ownership of, your content. So, for example, we’ll never claim the right to develop your content into materials such as books, films, or television shows without your knowledge and express consent… To restate: You own all the content you post on Medium, and we make no claims to it, nor will we ever in the future. We do not, and will not, sell your content or information. Ever. Terms Of Service Blog

However, the question that remains, for me is: Are we giving Medium permission to “use” our material for promotional or marketing purposes on their various platforms without compensation?

If you’re in the Partner Program most of us literally get pennies for our work so the thought that Medium could potentially get paid from promoting our work without compensation or “royalty” doesn’t feel right.

I would like to know the answer to my question and if that’s true — I may have to rethink my exodus. If I had to leave it would be really sad because I had big plans — but I guess this will motivate me to explore other platforms and start promoting my own website.

If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

I suggest Medium’s CEO make a formal statement via YouTube or something because the language in the new TOS and the clarification on the Medium Blog are inconsistent and causing more confusion. I don’t understand why the language in the Blog can’t be used in the TOS — to make it plain. I understand lawyers are involved and they use legalese — but lay people are involved and we need you to make the terms plain with regard to copyright, use of materials, compensation.

I’m exhausted — looking for a job and trying to find a new place — it’s a lot…

I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I knew I needed a back up plan and this revelation has helped up things in motion.

We shall see…