[Question] In regards to DM'ing for hire and copyrights.

Hey there, folks. I am currently studying the possibility of starting to work as a DM for hire, offering my own homebrewed adventures and campaigns for interested players. But while setting up a D&D 5E adventure, the issue of copyright popped up in my mind and I am unclear on how this works. From what I understand, it is standard for a DM to, after finishing the adventure, make the paying players DM's on the module so that they have full access to it and can replicate it if they so desire, as well as check behind the curtains. And that makes it seem more of a product than just a service to me; And, well, even if it is a service, my question is: I am using maps I found online for battles, and the art I am using for NPCs were also found online, as will most likely be the PC's illustrations. Can that be an issue? Furthermore, I am using both art and rules for creatures that aren't Open SRD. I believe it'd be okay for me to use a Gnoll, but what about a Gnoll Witherling? I am new to this and I wanna make sure I'm not making any legal mistakes here. Either way, thank you for any support!

Hey hey! How are you? Feel free to DM me for a more in-depth breakdown, but the short version is you're all set to do all of that. Witherling, maps, all of it

There's no reason for players to have access to your DM material unless you want to give it to them. They are paying for you to run the adventures, not foe access to them.

I've never heard of this 'make players the GM' business before. I try to provide handouts upfront and during play to enhance the world and lore, and some people actually read some of them. ;) I share content with players in the form of the Compendium as well. That is kind of a neat idea, but at the same time, sometimes some mystery is best held behind the screen. A lot will advise a DM/GM not to share stuff like "you missed this thing/encounter" or "if you had taken a left instead...", but that's up to you. I use a lot of AI art for maps and scenes, feels better than Google grabs. But that's another topic altogether. I really don't think you have to worry about copyright issues unless you're producing content for sale (modules, etc) or perhaps gaining revenue from streams (YouTube, Twitch). I haven't taken that dive yet so pardon my ignorance on the details thereof, but as far as I know, Critical Role and the Dungeon Dudes and others don't have to pay anything for their presentations.