Copyright is a legal protection for original creative works like videos and music. You cannot post someone else's copyrighted content on TikTok without permission, unless you have a legal right to do so (such as fair use for criticism or review). If your copyright is infringed, you can report it directly to TikTok through the app or online form.
Requirements
Do not post, share, or send copyrighted content without the owner's permission
Fair use exceptions (criticism, review, quotation) may permit limited use without permission
Report copyright infringement through TikTok's in-app reporting tool or online form
Copyright protection is automatic upon creation; registration is not required
Why it matters
Posting copyrighted content without permission violates TikTok's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines and can result in content removal or account action against you.
All TikTok Shop sellers and creators using copyrighted, trademarked, patented, or publicity-protected content
TikTok prohibits all forms of intellectual property infringement, including counterfeit products, unauthorized use of trademarks, copyrights, patents, and publicity rights. Violations can result in delisting of products, account suspension, account termination, and withholding of funds. Repeat violations trigger stricter penalties, and appeals are not guaranteed to be successful.
Requirements
Do not sell counterfeits, knockoffs, or use trademarks, copyrights, patents, or publicity rights without authorization
Brand authorization may require a trademark number, Letter of Authorization (LOA), or license agreement
Only IP owners or their authorized representatives can file infringement notices
Appeals must be submitted within 30 days in Seller Center > Shop Health; sellers receive up to 2 appeals
Why it matters
IP violations can result in immediate listing removal, account suspension, account termination, and permanent loss of funds—making compliance critical to maintaining your TikTok Shop business.
You cannot sell, advertise, or display counterfeit products or unauthorized brand names, trademarks, or logos on TikTok Shop. This includes hiding or blurring logos to disguise counterfeits, and any messaging that suggests you're selling fake products.
Requirements
Do not sell, advertise, or display counterfeit products
Do not use unauthorized brand names, trademarks, or logos in listings, videos, or livestreams
Do not intentionally blur or hide brand names or logos
Do not use messaging that implies the sale of counterfeit products
Why it matters
Violations result in account suspension or permanent termination, frozen balances, canceled transactions, and potential legal action by TikTok or trademark owners.
All TikTok Shop sellers, content creators, and anyone advertising or promoting products
You cannot advertise, sell, or promote counterfeit products on TikTok, and you must not display unauthorized trademarks, brand names, or logos anywhere on the platform—including product pages, videos, and livestreams. You also cannot deliberately blur or hide brand information, or use any messaging (text, video, images, or audio) that suggests you're selling fake goods.
Requirements
Do not advertise or sell counterfeit products
Do not display unauthorized brand names, trademarks, or logos in any content (product pages, videos, livestreams)
Do not intentionally blur or hide brand names or logos
Do not use messages, images, audio, or video that imply you are selling counterfeit products
Why it matters
Violating this rule can result in account suspension, content removal, and legal liability for trademark infringement.
TikTok Shop sellers who claim trademark ownership or authorization to sell branded products
TikTok requires sellers claiming trademark rights or authorization to prove their legal standing by submitting official documentation. The type and number of documents you need depends on whether you own the trademark, are authorized by the owner, or are authorized through a chain of resellers.
Requirements
Trademark owners: Submit trademark registration number; update contact email with USPTO if outdated before applying
1st-level authorized sellers: Submit a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the trademark owner
2nd-level authorized sellers: Submit two LOAs—one from the trademark owner to the 1st-level seller, and one from the 1st-level seller to you
Sellers with licensing agreements: Submit a valid Licensee Agreement from the licensor
Why it matters
Without proper authorization documentation, your branded listings will be rejected or removed, blocking your ability to sell those products on TikTok.
IPR owners, authorized representatives, and sellers reporting intellectual property infringement on TikTok Shop
If you're reporting intellectual property infringement on TikTok Shop, you must submit complete information about the violation through either the Intellectual Property Protection Center or the IP Rights Report form. Incomplete submissions will likely be rejected, and TikTok may share your contact information with the accused seller.
Requirements
Submit infringement notices through the IPPC or IP Rights Report form with all requested information completed
Provide complete details or your complaint may be denied; incomplete submissions limit investigation ability
Prepare for TikTok to request additional information during the investigation process
Understand that your contact information (name, email, etc.) may be shared with the accused seller
Why it matters
Submitting incomplete or inaccurate infringement reports wastes time and will result in denial, while sellers need to know TikTok will disclose their identity to the accused party.
TikTok Shop sellers and rights holders reporting copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property infringement
To report intellectual property infringement on TikTok Shop, you must submit your complaint using the official IP Rights Report form and include all information requested in that form. If you don't provide complete details, TikTok may not be able to investigate your claim and could deny your complaint outright.
Requirements
Use only the official TikTok Shop IP Rights Report form to submit infringement notices
Include all information requested in the form—incomplete submissions may be denied
Consider seeking independent legal advice if you're unsure whether an IP violation actually occurred before submitting
Why it matters
Incomplete or improperly submitted complaints will not be investigated, so following the form requirements is essential if you want TikTok to take action on your IP infringement report.
Brands and IP rights holders reporting distribution agreement disputes to TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop will not remove listings or take action based solely on exclusive distribution agreement violations—these disputes must be resolved privately between the parties. However, if a listing also involves a separate intellectual property infringement (like trademark or copyright violation), TikTok may act on that IPR violation.
Requirements
Distribution agreement violations alone are not grounds for TikTok Shop action
Must file a separate IPR infringement claim (not just a distribution dispute) for TikTok to investigate
All notices must include information requested in the TikTok Shop Intellectual Property Rights Report form
Incomplete submissions may result in complaint denial
Why it matters
If you're a brand protecting exclusive distribution rights, filing a distribution-only complaint won't get TikTok's help—you'll need to identify a separate IP infringement (trademark, copyright, etc.) or pursue the matter through legal channels.
TikTok Shop sellers who receive an enforcement action for intellectual property violations
If TikTok Shop takes an enforcement action against you for an intellectual property violation, you have a limited opportunity to challenge the decision through appeals. You can submit up to two appeals, but only within specific time windows—act quickly or lose your right to appeal.
Requirements
Maximum 2 appeals per case
First appeal must be submitted within 30 days of the enforcement action
Second appeal must be submitted within 15 days of the first appeal's rejection
Copyright violations only may submit a DMCA Counter-Notice as an alternative
Why it matters
Missing these deadlines means you lose your ability to contest the enforcement action, which could result in permanent suspension of your listings or account.
TikTok Shop sellers and creators who receive enforcement action for intellectual property violations
TikTok Shop has different appeal limits and timelines for sellers versus creators when enforcement action is taken against an account. Sellers get up to 2 appeals (first within 30 days, second within 15 days of rejection), while creators get only 1 appeal within 30 days. Successful appeals result in penalty removal and restoration of privileges.
Requirements
Sellers: maximum 2 appeals per case
first appeal within 30 days of enforcement action
second appeal within 15 days of first appeal rejection
Creators: maximum 1 appeal per case; appeal must be within 30 days of enforcement action
All appeals require valid, clear documents proving authenticity to succeed
Successful appeals result in penalty removal and restoration of withdrawn privileges
Why it matters
Understanding your appeal window and limits is critical—missing the deadline or exhausting your appeals means you lose the opportunity to challenge an enforcement decision that could impact your account privileges or penalties.
TikTok Shop sellers and creators whose content or products have been removed for alleged intellectual property infringement
When your content is removed due to a copyright or intellectual property claim, you can submit a counter-notice to dispute it—but you must include your identity, contact information, a detailed explanation of why the content doesn't infringe, and a sworn statement that you believe the removal was a mistake. Be aware that submitting a false counter-notice can make you liable for TikTok's legal costs and damages.
Requirements
Full identity information (name for individuals, business registration for entities)
Complete contact details and statement consenting to jurisdiction and service of process
Specific location of removed content and detailed explanation of why it's not infringing
Good-faith sworn statement under penalty of perjury that removal was due to mistake or misidentification
You can appeal maximum 1 time per case, within 30 days of enforcement action
Why it matters
Filing a counter-notice is your path to restore removed content and reverse penalties, but false statements can result in significant legal liability and costs beyond the initial removal.
All TikTok users posting or sharing content, including creators and TikTok Shop sellers
TikTok prohibits you from posting, sharing, or sending any content that infringes on someone else's intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, and other IP protections. TikTok takes IP violations seriously and will remove infringing content from the platform.
Requirements
Do not post, share, or send content that violates copyrights, trademarks, or other IP rights
Respect the intellectual property rights of others
For TikTok Shop listings and ads, review the dedicated IP policies (TikTok Shop Intellectual Property Policy and IP Infringement Rules for Ads)
IP laws vary by jurisdiction—seek legal advice if unsure about requirements in your country
Why it matters
Violating IP rights will result in content removal and can lead to account restrictions or suspension, damaging your ability to reach audiences and sell on the platform.
Intellectual Property rights owners (trademark, patent, copyright holders, etc.) protecting their assets on TikTok Shop
The Intellectual Property Protection Center (IPPC) is a tool on TikTok Shop that allows IP rights owners—like trademark and patent holders—to register their intellectual property, search for counterfeit or infringing products/videos/livestreams, and file complaints all in one place. Instead of managing IP protection through email, you get centralized tracking and faster processing of infringement reports.
Requirements
Register your IP by submitting relevant documents, registrations, and certifications
Search TikTok Shop products, videos, and livestreams for potential infringements
Submit and track IP infringement complaints in one dashboard
Link your seller account to IPPC to auto-sync brand authorizations and skip manual KYC verification
Why it matters
Using IPPC speeds up infringement detection and complaint processing while reducing manual effort—protecting your brand reputation and market position on TikTok Shop.
TikTok Shop sellers and individual IP rights owners who want to register and protect their intellectual property assets on the platform
To use the Intellectual Property Protection Center (IPPC) on TikTok Shop, you need to create or log into a seller account, then join or create an IPPC organization and verify your identity with appropriate documentation. After that, you can register and manage your IP assets (like trademarks, copyrights, and patents) through the platform to protect them from infringement on TikTok Shop.
Requirements
You must log in with a TikTok Shop seller account (or create one)
You must belong to an IPPC organization—either join an existing one or create a new one
You must verify your identity: businesses submit a business license or incorporation document; individuals submit a US passport or driver's license
You can only register IP assets that are active in the country where you want protection
Why it matters
Without completing account setup and identity verification, you won't be able to register your IP or take action against counterfeiters and infringers on TikTok Shop.
All TikTok creators and sellers posting content that references branded products or services
You cannot use another person's registered trademark on TikTok without their permission if it's likely to confuse people about the source, origin, sponsorship, or affiliation of goods or services. However, you can lawfully reference, review, criticize, or compare products using the trademark as a way to identify them.
Requirements
Do not use another's registered trademark without permission in a way that causes confusion about product source or sponsorship
You can lawfully reference trademarks when: accurately identifying a product you're reviewing, criticizing, parodying, or comparing
Do not post content that infringes copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights
Why it matters
Trademark violations can result in content removal and account strikes or bans; using trademarks legitimately for reviews and comparisons helps you stay compliant while still discussing branded products.
