Why Most 6-Figure Creators Are Legally Exposed (And Don't Know It)

Find out more about Kush 🚀 connect with Kush Birdi & Birdi & Co:
💼 www.linkedin.com/in/kushbirdi
📧 Email: kush@birdilaw.com
🌐 Website: https://birdilaw.com

Want Financial Clarity as a Creator?

If you're a UK-based creator earning six or seven figures and want to get your finances sorted, check out what I'm building:

🌐 Creator Finance: https://creatorfinance.co.uk

The UK's first financial planning practice designed for creators, by a creator. Fixed fee. Independent. Built for how you actually earn.

📥 FREE GUIDE - The Creator Wealth Blueprint:
https://creatorfinanceuk.kit.com/9f9a...

If you're a creator, listening to this conversation could save you countless hours of stress and potentially thousands in costs.

You're building something incredible. But here's the truth nobody wants to talk about: most creators earning £50K+ are legally exposed and don't even know it.

That "simple" brand deal you signed? It might have signed away your content forever. That business partner you're working with? Without the right agreements, you're one disagreement away from disaster. And if you're still trading as a sole trader while earning serious money... your house, your savings, everything could be on the line.

In this episode, I sit down with Kush Birdi, Managing Partner at Birdi & Co Solicitors, who has advised everyone from TikTok creators with millions of followers to Instagram bloggers building retail empires. We go deep on the legal landmines that catch creators out – and exactly how to protect yourself.

This isn't boring legal theory. This is the stuff that will save your business.

Episode Timecodes

00:00 Introduction - Why legal matters can save creators thousands
02:12 Key legal considerations when starting a creator business
04:39 Sole Trader vs Limited Company - Understanding liability protection
06:58 When is the right time to set up a company and get legal advice?
09:22 Co-ownership pitfalls - Shareholder agreements and control
11:42 Protections for sole traders (insurance, negotiating contracts)
14:06 Joint ventures and equity stakes - What you need to document
16:31 What happens when a business partner isn't performing?
18:48 Why written agreements prevent expensive disputes
21:12 Intellectual property in the creator economy explained
23:37 Image rights vs IP rights - The gap creators don't understand
26:00 Beyond contracts: Trademarking, data protection, and compliance
28:22 Freelancer vs Employee - The legal tests that catch creators out
30:45 Confidentiality and conflicts of interest with your team
33:11 Case Study: How a viral Instagram blogger scaled with legal support
35:33 Brand deals: Usage rights and the "perpetuity" trap
37:58 Can you send brands YOUR contract? Working on the front foot
40:20 The app disaster: Why owning your IP is everything
42:36 When should a creator actually hire a solicitor?
45:00 What happens if your business partner dies or becomes ill?
47:21 Cross option agreements - Protecting your business from disaster
49:48 AI and the emerging legal issues creators must watch
52:12 Selling your creator business - Legal preparation starts years early
54:38 The future of the creator economy
55:00 "More Money Than Sensei" - What creators waste money on
57:02 How to contact Birdie & Co + Creator Finance outro

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always seek professional advice for your specific situation.