It’s no secret that OnlyFans creators need better protections for their work online, but could others in the creator economy benefit from OnlyFans stepping up?

The internet has been revolutionary for the way people create content for one another, but the other side of that coin? It’s easier than ever for intellectual property thieves to swipe something that isn’t theirs. Creators of all kinds are fighting the uphill battle of protecting their original work online. Digital artists and OnlyFans content creators alike are targets for bad actors looking to make a buck off someone else’s work—but OnlyFans might actually be in the best position to do something about it.

Digital theft is everywhere, and everyone from writers whose debut novels are pirated to small-batch jewelry designers are in a perpetual battle with Shein. Independent artists regularly see their designs swiped, reposted, or sold without consent by giants they can’t afford the legal fees to combat. And every time a lesser-known artist goes viral? You can bet someone looking to cash in on the trend without doing the work is going to see that virality as an open invitation to swoop in and steal the design.

Digital creators who make content for OnlyFans are no exception. OnlyFans creators technically retain copyright over their content. While OnlyFans’ terms of service may grant the platform broad usage rights, that doesn’t mean anyone else can waltz in to swipe and sell what they like. Fans pay for monthly access to a creator’s page, but that doesn’t give subscribers the right to repost, download, or redistribute the content they enjoy.

OnlyFans does make an effort to help creators combat intellectual theft, and they offer tools to protect their work—but it’s time to do more. They provide a watermarking feature that allows creators to mark images, making stolen content easier to trace. Their legal team is ready to go after bad actors attempting to profit from stolen content. But these are reactive tools—OnlyFans can only issue takedown orders after someone posts stolen content. Reactive procedures are better than nothing, but when you’re only reacting, you don’t always win the battle to recover stolen work.

When OnlyFans creators are targeted by intellectual property thieves, the stakes are often higher than in other professions. Recently, content creator Gabriella Zuniga had her identity and content thrust into the spotlight due to an ongoing legal case. Zuniga filed her lawsuit anonymously for a reason, but her identity was exposed—against her will—through online sharing. Leaked identities and stolen content go hand-in-hand with privacy violations, contributing to the larger issue of creators being treated like disposable tools instead of the human beings they are.

Now, back to those independent artists. Companies like TEMU and Shein make millions exploiting their work. Those creators don’t generally have a platform protecting them—but OnlyFans creators do. OnlyFans profits massively off creator content, yet it has been slow to lead on standardized protections. They’re a billion-dollar company with the resources to set a higher standard.

OnlyFans is in a unique position to lead the way. It’s a massive platform that openly acknowledges creators as the reason for its success. With global name recognition and deep pockets, OnlyFans could invest in stronger watermarking tech, improved DMCA enforcement, or even opt-in AI content monitoring. If they do, other platforms will follow—and that would benefit all digital creators.

OnlyFans is a platform with real, global power. They have the potential to shift the industry from being reactive to proactive. Hopefully, they’ll recognize the opportunity in front of them to be a real superhero—and find a way to better protect the people who built their empire.