Celebrate Your Independence as a Creator!

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Ecamm Live Recording on 2024-06-27 at 17.11:

Celebrate your independence as a creator.

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Happy July 4th, everybody.

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Today we are celebrating more

than just American independence.

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We're celebrating your

independence as a creator.

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So stay tuned as we dive into the

value of independent voices in media

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and how you can protect your rights to

keep creating freely and fearlessly.

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Welcome to Legit Podcast Pro.

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I'm your host, Gordon

Firemark, the podcast lawyer.

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And in this special July 4th

episode, we're celebrating more

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than just American independence.

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We're focusing on your

independence as a creator.

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Today, we'll discuss the value of

independent voices in media, the legal

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protections that foster and enhance

that independence and the importance

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of standing up for your rights.

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So let's just jump right

in and get started.

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The value of independent voices in media.

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Independent voices in the media have

always been crucial to protect freedom.

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They provide diverse perspectives

and challenge the status quo.

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Historically, independent media has

been a cornerstone of democratic

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societies, giving a platform to those

who might otherwise have been silenced.

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Think about some of the most impactful

creators and journalists in history.

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Many of them started independently, using

their unique voices to make a difference.

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By valuing and supporting independent

media, we ensure a rich tapestry of

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ideas and viewpoints that contribute

to a more informed and engaged public.

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The concept of a free press as the

fourth estate of our government

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is fundamental to our system.

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The press serves as a watchdog,

holding power accountable

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and ensuring transparency.

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Without a free and independent

press, democracy really

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can't function effectively.

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Independent journalism has brought

to light countless issues that might

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have otherwise remained hidden,

reinforcing the importance of protecting

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these voices from Watergate to

modern day investigative reporting.

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The fourth estate plays a critical

role in shining a light on

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matters of public interest and

holding those in power to account.

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So, how can you as a creator

ensure your independence?

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Well, legal protections that are in

place do play a significant role.

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By understanding your rights and

utilizing the protections that the law

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offers, you can safeguard your work

and maintain your creative freedom.

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These legal safeguards not only

protect your intellectual property,

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but they also provide the security.

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Needed to explore bold

and innovative ideas.

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So let's just dive into some

key legal rights that every

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creator should really know about.

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Top of the list, of course, is the first

amendment and how it protects us all.

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The first amendment of the United

States constitution constitution

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is one of the most vital

components of American democracy.

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This guarantees clear and unambiguous

legal rights for all Americans.

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freedoms concerning religion,

expression, assembly, and the right to

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petition the government for creators.

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The most relevant aspects of course, are

the freedoms of speech and the press.

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These rights form the foundation

upon which independent media stands.

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The first amendment protects our ability

to speak freely, publish our thoughts

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and disseminate information without fear

of government censorship or retaliation.

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This protection is essential for

fostering a vibrant and diverse,

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Media landscape without it.

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Voices that challenge the status

quo or present controversial issues

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might be silenced for creators.

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This means that you can explore

a wide range of topics, express

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dissenting opinions, and engage your

audience in meaningful discussions.

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Whether you're a podcaster, a writer,

a journalist, a filmmaker, the first

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amendment ensures that you have the

liberty to pursue your creative vision.

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Without undue interference from

those in government and in power,

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but it's not just creators that benefit

from the first amendment audiences

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also gained from these protections.

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The free flow of information and ideas

allows the public to stay informed,

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participate in public discourse and

hold those in power accountable.

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This informed audience can then

engage in democratic processes more

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effectively, and that fosters a more

robust and participatory society.

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And the first amendment's protection

of freedom of the press means that

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investigative journalism can thrive.

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Journalists can uncover truths,

expose corruption, and report on

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issues that matter to the public.

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This watchdog role is crucial

for maintaining transparency

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and accountability in government

and other powerful institutions.

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In essence.

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The first amendment allows

creators to innovate and express

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themselves while ensuring audiences

have access to a diverse array

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of viewpoints and information.

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This symbiotic relationship

enhances both the creation and the

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consumption, the access to content

by protecting these freedoms.

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We uphold the principles of

democracy and support a society

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where ideas Can flourish.

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And as creators, it's our

responsibility to use these

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freedoms wisely and ethically.

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So understanding and respecting the

boundaries of free speech, like avoiding

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defaming people, respecting privacy

rights, ensuring that we maintain

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the integrity of our work and the

trust of our audience is important.

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The first amendment is a powerful tool.

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And as Spider Man says, with great

power comes great responsibility.

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So let's use it to its fullest

potential while upholding the values.

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It embodies so freedom and speech

in the press are fundamental rights

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that allow you to express yourself

without this undue interference.

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And they're really the bedrock of Intel,

of of an Intel informed electorate.

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Next up is copyright protection.

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Copyright law, gives you exclusive rights

to your creations, allowing you to control

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how your work is used and distributed.

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And this not only protects

your intellectual property, but

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also incentivizes creativity.

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By ensuring that creators can

reap the benefits of their work.

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Copyright law encourages the

production of new and original content.

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Remember registering your copyright

can provide additional legal benefits,

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makes it easier to enforce your rights

and seek remedies for infringement.

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And then there's the fair use doctrine,

which actually brings the first

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amendment and copyright law together.

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Fair use allows you to use copyrighted

material under certain conditions.

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Without permission.

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And this is particularly important for

creators who comment on critique or parody

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existing works, understanding the nuances

of fair use can help you avoid legal

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pitfalls while enriching your content.

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It's a delicate balance, but fair

use is a critical tool for fostering

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freedom of expression and promoting

the exchange of ideas in our

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creative and culture industries.

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Trademark protection is

another critical area.

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Trademarks help establish your

brand identity, distinguish your

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products and services from others.

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By securing a trademark, you protect

your brand from infringement and

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ensure that your audience can

easily identify and trust your work.

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In fact, trademark is about

consumer protection more than about.

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Business protection.

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They build brand loyalty and credibility,

making it easier for your audience

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to find support and trust what you've

got, what you make and put out there.

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The process of registering a trademark can

be kind of complex, but it's worthwhile

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investment in your brand's future.

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Now, defamation, privacy,

and right of publicity.

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It's essential to understand the

laws around these areas, because

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defamation laws protect individuals

against false statements that

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might harm their reputation.

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Privacy laws guard against

unwarranted intrusions.

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Disclosures of private information

that have, you know, the public

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really has no real interest in or no

legitimate interest in, I should say.

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The right of publicity

allows individuals to control

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commercial use of their identity.

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So as a creator, respecting these rights

and understanding those boundaries,

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not only keeps you legally safe, but

also builds trust with your audience.

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Navigating these legal areas does require

careful consideration, but that is really

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key to maintaining integrity and quality.

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Credibility in your work.

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Now, citizen journalism has become a

powerful force in today's media landscape.

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With the rise of social media and

digital platforms, anyone can report

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news and share information, but

citizen journalists often face legal

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challenges, including the need for the.

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What I, what's called a federal

reporter shield law to protect them

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from having to reveal their sources.

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These laws exist in many states,

but not at the federal level.

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So supporting a protection at that

federal level really is important and

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vital for maintaining a robot, robust

and independent press citizen journalism.

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to pay a crucial role in documenting

events and providing grassroots

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perspectives, but they need the

legal protection to ensure that

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they can report without fear of

retaliation or legal repercussions.

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Standing up for your rights as

a creator really is important.

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Please be proactive and protecting

your legal rights and staying informed

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about the laws that affect your work.

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There are lots of resources and

tools available out there to help

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you navigate this legal landscape.

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So, Being vigilant about your rights

is easy, and it ensures that you can

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continue to create freely and fearlessly.

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Advocating for stronger legal protections

allows you to contribute to a healthier,

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more independent media environment.

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So remember, your voice matters, and

protecting it is just as essential as

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protecting other freedoms we celebrate.

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Fostering a vibrant and diverse

creative community is important.

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is important.

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So before we wrap up, I want to invite

you to a special event that I am holding.

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Join me for this free online workshop,

podcast growth and profit, mastering

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fundamentals, avoiding common mistakes.

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It's a fantastic opportunity for you

to learn how to grow your podcast or

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YouTube channel and avoid common pitfalls.

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Register now by going to event.

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podcastlaw.

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net.

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Don't miss out on this chance to

enhance your podcasting journey with

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practical insights and expert advice.

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So that's going to do it for this episode.

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Thank you for joining me on this special

July 4th edition of legit podcast pro.

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Remember your independence as a creator

is invaluable, protect it, nurture

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it, and stand up for your rights