Summary
Policy restructured with executive summary section added. Core IP rules (counterfeits, trademarks, copyright, patents, knockoffs, publicity rights, brand authorization, infringement reporting, appeals) remain substantively unchanged from 03/19/2026 version.
Why it matters
Update is presentation-only: policy adds no new prohibitions, enforcement actions, deadlines, or eligibility requirements. Existing IPR compliance obligations remain identical. No behavioral changes required.
Recommended action
Review new summary section for clarity; confirm your brand authorization and infringement notice submissions align with existing process. No new compliance steps required.
Show more Show less Overview This Tik Tok Shop Intellectual Property Policy (the "Policy") outlines how third-party intellectual property rights ("IPR") are protected within Tik Tok Shop.
This Policy supplements Tik Tok's Community Guidelines, Tik Tok Shop's Creator Terms of Use, and Seller Terms of Service (collectively, "Tik Tok Terms").
Any action that infringes the IPR of others, or encourages or induces infringement, is subject to all enforcement actions set forth in the Tik Tok Terms, the Seller Enforcement Policy, and the Creator Performance Evaluation Policy.
Enforcement actions include, but are not limited to: Removing or restricting your product Any additional actions deemed necessary by Tik Tok, in its sole discretion, including but not limited to initiating civil or criminal proceedings independently or in conjunction with Intellectual Property Rights (or IPR)
Show more Show less Overview This Tik Tok Shop Intellectual Property Policy (the "Policy") outlines how third-party intellectual property rights ("IPR") are protected within Tik Tok Shop.
This Policy supplements Tik Tok's Community Guidelines, Tik Tok Shop's Creator Terms of Use, and Seller Terms of Service (collectively, "Tik Tok Terms").
Any action that infringes the IPR of others, or encourages or induces infringement, is subject to all enforcement actions set forth in the Tik Tok Terms, the Seller Enforcement Policy, and the Creator Performance Evaluation Policy.
Enforcement actions include, but are not limited to: Removing or restricting your product listings or Any additional actions deemed necessary by Tik Tok, in its sole discretion, including but not limited to initiating civil or criminal proceedings independently or in conjunction with Intellectual Property Rights (or IPR)
Affects: Creator, Seller, Listing, Video
This includes, but is not limited to: Counterfeits Counterfeit goods attempt to imitate authentic products without authorization and may infringe on third-party trademarks, design patents, and trade dress (the overall look and feel of a product or its packaging).
Tik Tok Shop takes action against counterfeiting and considers the following as engaging in counterfeit behavior: Advertising or selling counterfeit products Displaying unauthorized brand names, trademarks, or logos in any form of content, including, but not limited to, product detail pages, videos, and livestreams Intentionally blurring or hiding any brand name or logo Behaviors or written or verbal messages (including text, image, sound, and video) that imply the sale of counterfeit products Trademark Infringement Tik Tok Shop users are prohibited from using third-party trademarks on their physical products, in their listings, in their content, or shop name or avatar without proper authorization.
A trademark is a word, symbol, design, sound, or a combination of these (such as a brand name or logo).
It identifies products or services from a particular source and distinguishes them from others.
Example: “Tik Tok” is a registered trademark that we use for many of our products and services.
Copyright is a legal right that protects original works of authorship (for example, photos, text, music, and videos), giving copyright holders control over how their creations are used, reproduced, distributed, or performed.
Knockoffs Commonly known as "copycat" products, these products are not identical to authentic branded products but closely resemble their logos or trademarks.
Knockoffs may also: • Be lower in quality or priced lower than the original products they imitate • Violate a third-party design patent Knockoff products may imitate or infringe the legitimate rights of owners of branded, authentic products, and in some cases, violate local laws.
The main types include:• Design Patent: Protects the unique, ornamental visual design of a functional item.• Utility Patent: Covers the creation of a new or improved—and useful—product, process, or machine.
If there is no valid court order, please contact the party you believe is infringing on your utility patent directly.
To obtain Brand Authorization, sellers must provide documentation in Seller Center depending on their relationship to the brand: Trademark Owners: Submit the trademark registration number If the trademark’s listed contact email is outdated or inaccessible, you must update it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) before applying.
Use USPTO's Correspondence and Attorney/Domestic Representative Forms to update the contact.1st-Level Authorized Sellers: Submit a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the brand or trademark owner2nd-Level Authorized Sellers: These sellers must submit two LOAs: The first LOA must come from the trademark owner to the first-level authorized seller.
Note: In accordance with our Seller Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, we may provide the account holder with your contact information.
Types of IPR Infringement Notices That May Not Be Accepted by Tik Tok Shop The types of notices that are not accepted by Tik Tok Shop include, but are not limited to: Distribution Agreements Tik Tok Shop does not typically enforce private distribution agreements, as violations of these agreements may not constitute IPR infringement.
One-line takeaway: IP infringement is prohibited; violations can trigger listing, account, and fund restrictions.
Red Lines & Compliance:
① Ban counterfeits, knockoffs, unauthorized trademark, copyright, patent, publicity-right use ② Repeated violations may cause stricter enforcement ③ Appeals don’t guarantee reversal.
Thresholds & Requirements:
① Brand Authorization may require trademark number, LOA(s), or license agreement ② Only IP owners/authorized reps may file notices ③ Jurisdiction must match protected country.
Actionable Steps:
① Submit infringement notices via IPPC or web form with complete information ② Appeal in Seller Center > Shop Health with supporting documents ③ Sellers get 2 appeals; first within 30 days.
Immediate next action: Review listings and authorization documents now.
This policy applies to any Tik Tok Shop seller or creator who uploads content, promotes, or sells products or services.
A patent protects an invention from being made, sold, or used by others without permission.
For example, you may not use a music artist's or athlete's name or image on a shirt without their authorization.
You also may not suggest a product is sponsored or promoted by a famous athlete without permission.
This can include the IPR owner's name, your email address, and other details from the notice.
Key points to understand are: Tik Tok Shop respects that brands may have exclusive distribution agreements.
However, enforcement of these agreements is a private matter between the parties involved.
We will not take action on notices based solely on distribution agreement violations, unless a separate IPR infringement has occurred.
Appeals Methods of Appeal If a user receives an IPR infringement notification who believes the notification is in error or that they are authorized to use the product and/or content, they can: Submit an appeal to Tik Tok Shop Submit a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) Counter-Notice (copyright violations only)Submitting Appeals to Tik Tok Shop Users may file an appeal through the Seller Center by raising a ticket.
We will then investigate the case and take corrective actions where applicable.
To appeal IPR violations and enforcement actions, please visit your Tik Tok Shop Seller Center and visit the "Shop Health" tab to review any violation records and the documents required to appeal.
Depending on the violation, you may be asked to provide documents supporting your appeal which could include (but are not limited to) an IPR certificate, a letter of authorization from the IPR owner, or a proof of purchase.
More information for appeals can be found in our Seller Appeals for IPR violations article.
Tik Tok Shop Appeals Guidelines For Sellers:
You can raise a maximum of 2 appeals per case.
The first appeal must be submitted within 30 days of the enforcement action, and the second appeal within 15 days of the first appeal’s rejection.
For Creators:
You can raise a maximum of 1 appeal against one case.
You must raise this appeal within 30 days of enforcement action taken by us.
If a seller's or creator's appeal is successful, we will remove any penalties issued and restore any withdrawn privileges.
If a seller or creator decides to waive their right to appeal or is unable to provide any valid and clear documents to prove authenticity, then the appeal will not be successful.
All appeal decisions may be made by Tik Tok in its sole discretion.
DMCA Counter-Notice Submission Process Users who have content removed due to reported copyright infringement may file a counter-notice under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to request reinstatement.
This process can be completed in Seller Center by submitting a ticket.
The counter-notice must include the following: Identity Information: For an individual, include your full name.
For an entity, include a copy of your business registration certificate.
Contact information: In addition to your full name, include your address, email address, telephone number, and a statement that you consent to the jurisdiction in which the address is located (see 17 U.
512 (g)(3)) and will accept service of process (the formal delivery of legal documents) from the claimant.
Nature of the Counter-Notice: Identify the location of the product or content that has been removed (or that access has been disabled) and explain in detail why such product or content is not infringing upon the IPR of others – or that the product or activity was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification.
Good-Faith Statement:
Include a statement under penalty of perjury (a declaration that you are telling the truth and understand you could face legal consequences for lying) that you have a good-faith belief that the material was removed or disabled due to a mistake or misidentification.
Failing to include the necessary information may limit our ability to deal with your claims and result in your counter-notice being denied.
Tik Tok Shop may seek further information in order to verify your authority to submit the counter-notice.
Note:
You may be liable for any damages incurred by Tik Tok Shop and/or its affiliates (including costs and legal fees) if you materially misrepresent that a product or activity is not infringing the IPR of others or that the product or activity was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification.
Accordingly, if you are unsure whether certain material infringes the IPR of others or that the material or activity was removed or disabled by mistake or misidentification, we suggest you contact a lawyer in the first instance.
Submitting a counter-notice does not guarantee a successful outcome.
A counter-notice ensures that Tik Tok Shop will review the relevant case in consideration of additional materials or explanations provided by the seller.
The copyright claimant may file an action seeking a court order to keep the content down pursuant to the United States Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Note that, where appropriate and authorized by law, we will forward the entire counter-notice to the original reporter, including any contact information you provide, in accordance with our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
The claimant may use this information to file a lawsuit against you.
If we do not receive notice that the copyright claimant is seeking a court order to prevent further infringement of the material at issue, we may restore or cease disabling access to the product or content that was removed if the material does not infringe on third-party copyright.
The decision whether to restore or cease disabling access to the material at issue will be at Tik Tok's sole discretion.
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Next Requirements for Brand Authorization×
This includes, but is not limited to: Counterfeits Counterfeit goods attempt to imitate authentic products without authorization and may infringe on third-party trademarks, design patents, and trade dress (the overall look and feel of a product or its packaging).
Tik Tok Shop takes action against counterfeiting and considers the following as engaging in counterfeit behavior: Advertising or selling counterfeit products Displaying unauthorized brand names, trademarks, or logos in any form of content, including, but not limited to, product detail pages, videos, and livestreams Intentionally blurring or hiding any brand name or logo Behaviors or written or verbal messages (including text, image, sound, and video) that imply the sale of counterfeit products Trademark Infringement Tik Tok Shop users are prohibited from using third-party trademarks on their physical products, in their listings, in their content, or shop name or avatar without proper authorization.
A trademark is a word, symbol, design, sound, or a combination of these (such as a brand name or logo).
Example: “Tik Tok” is a registered trademark that we use for many of our products and services.
Copyright is a legal right that protects original works of authorship (for example, photos, text, music, and videos), giving copyright holders control over how their creations are used, reproduced, distributed, or performed.
Knockoffs Commonly known as "copycat" products, these products are not identical to authentic branded products but closely resemble their logos or trademarks.
Knockoffs may also: • Be lower in quality or priced lower than the original products they imitate • Violate a third-party design patent Knockoff products may imitate or infringe the legitimate rights of owners of branded, authentic products, and in some cases, violate local laws.
Knockoffs may also: • Be lower in quality or priced lower than the original products they imitate • Violate a third-party design patent Knockoff products may imitate or infringe the legitimate rights of owners of branded, authentic products, and in some cases, violate local laws.
The main types include:• Design Patent: Protects the unique, ornamental visual design of a functional item.• Utility Patent: Covers the creation of a new or improved—and useful—product, process, or machine.
If there is no valid court order, please contact the party you believe is infringing on your utility patent directly.
To obtain Brand Authorization, sellers must provide documentation in Seller Center depending on their relationship to the brand: Trademark Owners: Submit the trademark registration number If the trademark’s listed contact email is outdated or inaccessible, you must update it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) before applying.
To obtain Brand Authorization, sellers must provide documentation in Seller Center depending on their relationship to the brand: Trademark Owners: Submit the trademark registration number If the trademark’s listed contact email is outdated or inaccessible, you must update it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) before applying.
Use USPTO's Correspondence and Attorney/Domestic Representative Forms to update the contact.1st-Level Authorized Sellers: Submit a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the brand or trademark owner2nd-Level Authorized Sellers: These sellers must submit two LOAs: The first LOA must come from the trademark owner to the first-level authorized seller.
Note: In accordance with our Seller Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, we may provide the account holder with your contact information.
Types of IPR Infringement Notices That May Not Be Accepted by Tik Tok Shop The types of notices that are not accepted by Tik Tok Shop include, but are not limited to: Distribution Agreements Tik Tok Shop does not typically enforce private distribution agreements, as violations of these agreements may not constitute IPR infringement.
Enforcement actions include, but are not limited to: Removing or restricting your product listings or Tik Tok Shop permissions.
Suspending or terminating any Tik Tok user accounts.
Temporarily or permanently terminate access to your Tik Tok Shop account.
Temporarily or permanently withholding any balance, or cancelling of any transaction, associated with a seller's violation.
This policy is not intended as legal advice.
Tik Tok Shop takes action against counterfeiting and considers the following as engaging in counterfeit behavior: Advertising or selling counterfeit products.
Displaying unauthorized brand names, trademarks, or logos in any form of content, including, but not limited to, product detail pages, videos, and livestreams.
Intentionally blurring or hiding any brand name or logo.
Behaviors or written or verbal messages (including text, image, sound, and video) that imply the sale of counterfeit products.
A design patent protects the unique design of a functional item and safeguards the visual appearance of a product.
Design patents protect against unauthorized copying or imitation of the visual design of an object, giving the holder exclusive rights to that particular design.
Examples include, but are not limited to, using a music artist's or athlete's name or image on a shirt, or suggesting a product is sponsored or promoted by a famous athlete, without authorization from that person to do so.
However, violations of such agreements are generally unlikely to constitute an IPR infringement.
The enforcement of distribution agreements is typically a matter between the parties involved, and Tik Tok Shop does not generally assist with this type of enforcement activity unless the actions complained of constitute an infringement of IPR.