The Intellectual Property Protection Center (IPPC) - How To Use It

Table of Contents

1. What is the IPPC?
2. Why should I use the IPPC?
3. The IPPC User Flow
4. Step 1 — Creating an Account
5. Step 2 — Creating or Joining an Organization & Verifying Identity
   • Roles in an Organization
6. Step 3 — Registering Your IP Assets
   • Documents to Submit (proving ownership)
   • Letter of Authorization (LOA) / Power of Attorney (POA)
7. Step 4 — Searching for Infringing Content
8. Step 5 — Submitting a Complaint
   • Evidence Guidelines by Infringement Type (proving infringement)
9. Step 6 — Monitoring Outcomes, Appeals & Retractions
10. Reference: File Requirements & Turnaround
11. Frequently Asked Questions

---

What is the Intellectual Property Protection Center (IPPC)?

• Register their IP assets (by submitting relevant documents, registrations, certifications, etc.)
• Search TikTok Shop products, videos, and livestreams to identify possible IP infringements
• Submit and track the progress of their complaints about possible IP infringements

📍Read our Intellectual Property Policy for more information on how we protect IP rights on our platform.

Why should I use the IPPC?

• Easy IP Rights Verification: You can upload, verify, and store your IP documents on the IPPC. To save time and reduce manual effort, these documents can easily be referenced whenever you need to report a product, video, or livestream for infringement.
• All-In-One Complaint Management: Instead of the usual email confirming receipt of your complaint with no path for follow-up, the IPPC lets you submit, track, search, and review complaints all in one place.
• Faster Processing: Your documents in the IPPC help speed up the review process when you report a product, video, or livestream for infringement, saving you time!
• Integrated With Seller Center: You can link your seller account to your IPPC account and expedite the IPPC registration process.

The IPPC User Flow

Protecting your IP follows six steps. Each step below maps to a section in this article.

Step 1 - Creating An Account

Navigate to the IPPC log-in page.

• If you already have a TikTok Shop seller account, click Log In with Seller Center Account and use your seller credentials.
• If you do not have a TikTok Shop seller account, click Sign Up to create one.
  

Step 2 - Creating/Joining An IPPC Organization & Verifying Identity

You must belong to an IPPC organization before you can manage and protect your IP assets.

• To join an existing organization: contact an admin of that organization and request an invitation.
• To create a new organization: follow the steps below.

💡 You can belong to more than one organization.

Creating a new organization

There are two ways to create one:

1. Click Create Seller Organization.

1. ❗ This option is only available when you signed up for the IPPC by syncing your TikTok Shop seller account.
2. Click your name in the top-right corner, then click Create New Organization.
   

Verifying your identity

After creating an organization, submit documentation to verify your identity. The documents required depend on the organization type:

• Enterprise - choose this if the IP asset is owned by a business entity.

Once submitted, you will see a Processing page. This means we are reviewing your documentation, and we will email you the outcome of your identity verification.

• 💡 You will need to upload your Business License as proof of the business's identity.
• Individual - choose this if the IP asset is owned by an individual.
• 💡 We accept the following as proof of an individual's identity:
  • Driver's License or Identification Card
  • Passport

Roles In An IPPC Organization

You can hold one of three roles in an IPPC organization: Admin, Rights Owner, or Agent. Your IPPC use permissions depend on your role.

Step 3 - Managing/Registering Your IP Assets

You can manage your IP assets on the IP Management page.

Registering A New IP Asset

To register a new IP asset, click Upload IPR Documents on the IP Management page. Select the type of IP asset you want to protect and submit the required documentation.

❗Your IP asset MUST be active in the country where you want to protect it.

❗If you select Registered Copyright, you must submit a copyright registration certificate (issued by the relevant Intellectual Property Office) or a copyright claim statement (a statement in which you declare that you own the copyright). If you don't have one, select Unregistered Copyright instead.

We will email you about the outcome of your application. If rejected, click Re-Apply to edit and re-submit your application.

Documents To Submit When Registering A New IP Asset

The list below outlines the documents you need to submit when registering an IP asset. Take note that these vary depending on the IP asset.

❗This list serves only as general guidance. Submitting the documents does not automatically result in the registration of your IP asset on the IPPC. For IP documents registered with an Intellectual Property Office, TikTok Shop will verify the details against the Intellectual Property Office's latest records. If the details do not match, the submission will be rejected.

Trademark

• The official trademark certificate issued by the relevant Intellectual Property Office.
  • If you have renewed your trademark, upload the renewal certificate in addition to the original trademark certificate. If the trademark has been renewed multiple times, uploading the latest copy of the renewal certificate will suffice.
  • If the trademark underwent a change of ownership, upload the official Intellectual Property Office document confirming this too.
  • If you have registered an international trademark through the Madrid system, you will need to provide the international trademark certificate issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Only providing a Statement of Grant of Protection issued by the local Intellectual Property Office will not be sufficient.

❗We do not accept screenshots or publicly-downloadable documents from the WIPO or local IP Offices' databases as evidence of trademark ownership.

Registered Copyright

• The official copyright certificate issued by the relevant Intellectual Property Office or copyright claim statement.
• An image or video of the copyrighted material.
• Any other documents proving you own the copyrighted material.

Unregistered Copyright

• If it is a photo, upload the raw, original image without edits, overlays, or watermarks.
  • As additional proof of copyright ownership, please upload a set of photos taken of the same subject in the same setting too. These can be taken from different angles or "behind the scenes" photos (like test or studio shots).
  • Alternatively, attach a metadata screenshot of the raw image, and it should reflect the camera model and date of creation of the photo.
• If it is a video (or a LIVE) that has been posted online, upload a screenshot of the account that you used to post it. The screenshot must show you are logged into the account. If it has not been posted online, upload any evidence that proves your ownership.
• If the copyrighted work was created using digital means, such as digital art, please provide any other evidence that proves your ownership, such as screenshots of the software rendering process.

Registered Design

• The official design certificate issued by the relevant Intellectual Property Office.
• Images showing the front, back, top, bottom, left, and right views of the registered design.

Utility Patent

• The official utility patent certificate issued by the relevant Intellectual Property Office.
• Images showing the front, back, top, bottom, left and right views of the patented invention.

Letter of Authorization (LOA)/Power of Attorney (POA) (where applicable)

A LOA or POA may be required to prove your relationship with the IP owner, if your IPPC account name does not match the IP owner name in your document submission.

• The LOA or POA scope needs to prove that the IPPC user has been authorised by the IPR owner to handle IPR complaints on behalf of the IPR owner. Ensure all the details in the LOA or POA match the manual entries in the IPPC.
• A LOA or POA regarding the right to sell or distribute the Rights Owner's products in the market of sale (eg: a Brand Qualification document) is considered invalid and will be rejected, as the scope is unrelated to the right to handle IPR complaints through TikTok Shop's infringement reporting channels.
• If the IPPC user and the IP owner are related, provide any other documentary proof that the 2 parties belong to the same entity or company.

• Example 1: The IPPC user name is "XYZ Company", and the trademark owner is the CEO of XYZ Company who is "ABC". The IPPC user can submit a business license that identifies "ABC" as the major stakeholder of "XYZ Company".
• Example 2: The IPPC user name is "XYZ Company" while the trademark owner is "ABC Company". XYZ Company is a subsidiary of ABC Company. Provide a website screenshot from the official company website or press release articles to explain the parent-subsidiary company relationship. Alternatively, any internal company emails or announcements establishing the parent-subsidiary company relationship may be accepted too.

Step 4 - Searching for Infringing Content

Before you can file a complaint, search TikTok Shop for the product, video, or livestream you believe infringes your IP. You can search by keyword, by image, or by URL from the Create Complaint screen, then select the items to report.

Step 5 - Submitting Your Complaints

You can submit a complaint for IP infringement after we have approved your application to register your IP asset.
To submit a complaint, head over to the Complaint Management page and click Submit New Complaint.
Select the Complaint Type and Country and search for the product, video, or livestream you want to report.
Once you have selected all the items you want to report, complete each section of the form in order, from top to bottom. Each choice customizes the following options. For example, if you skip the "IP Type" section, you will not be able to select the IP asset under "IP Name".

❗If no options appear in the IP Name dropdown, it means your IP document has not been submitted and approved in the IPPC. Please complete this step via the IP Management page first, before submitting a complaint.

We will email you about the outcome of your complaint. It will also be displayed on the Complaint Management page in IPPC. See the Frequently Asked Questions for step-by-step guidance.

Guidelines For Submitting Complaints

The list below outlines what you need to provide when submitting a complaint. Take note that these vary depending on the IP asset.

❗This list serves only as general guidance. You may submit additional evidence not covered in this list. Please take note that we do not accept certain types of infringement complaints as evidence. These are listed in our How to Report IP Infringements.

Trademark

Counterfeit

Trademark Counterfeit concerns products that are designed to look like genuine branded items which display a registered trade mark without the trademark owner's permission.

• Images or photos showing a side-by-side comparison of your authentic product vs the product you claim is a counterfeit. You can use product images from customer reviews to support your complaint. Ensure the reported content contains the counterfeit indicators indicated in your evidence, otherwise your complaint may be rejected.

For example, a seller is selling a counterfeit product where the product packaging has visible differences from your authentic product. Upload a side-by-side comparison of your authentic product vs the counterfeit item and point out the differences.

If the reported product bears the fake elements pointed out on the left, it would be a valid counterfeit takedown.

Wrong Association

Trademark Wrong Association occurs when a registered trademark is used without authorization on a listing's name, description, or images, even though the product advertised for sale is unrelated or not associated with the registered trademark.

• Images showing where the wrong association with your trademark has occurred.

For example, a seller is selling a product from Brand X, but the product listing claims it is actually from Brand Y (which belongs to you). This amounts to wrong association. Upload images of the relevant part of the product listing that suggests the product is from Brand Y.

Over Use

Trademark Over Use refers to the use of a trademark in a manner that exceeds what is necessary for legitimate referential or commercial informational purposes.

• Images showing where the over use has occurred.

For example, a seller has added your brand's logo to their product listing image as a watermark, which goes beyond legitimate referential or commercial informational purposes. This amounts to over use. Upload images of the relevant part of the product listing that feature your brand's logo.

The "Brand X" trademark is found on the image as a standalone mark, edited into the picture as an overlay/digital edit. This is a non-legitimate use of the mark.

Unauthorized Use of Trademark In Video/Live Content

This refers to an unauthorized use of trademark found in a video/live content that exceeds what is necessary for legitimate referential or commercial informational purposes.

• Images showing where and when the unauthorized use has occurred (e.g., timestamped screenshots of video or LIVE content).

Registered Copyright

Piracy

Piracy refers to the promotion or sale of a pirated copy of your copyrighted work. This usually applies to books, software and multimedia works.

• Images or photos showing a side-by-side comparison of your authentic product vs the product you claim is a pirated copy. You can use product images from customer reviews to support your complaint. Ensure the reported content contains the piracy indicators indicated in your evidence, otherwise your complaint may be rejected.

For example, a seller is selling a photocopied version of your original book which you authored. This amounts to piracy. Upload a side-by-side comparison of your authentic book vs the photocopied book listing and point out the differences.

If the reported product bears the pirated copy's elements pointed out on the left, it would be a valid piracy takedown.

Unlawful Reproduction

Copyright Unlawful Reproduction refers to unauthorized use or reproduction of your copyrighted work on a product packaging or on a product itself.

• Images or photos showing where your copyrighted material has been used without authorization.

For example, a seller is selling a phone case that bears your original artwork of a 2D cartoon character. This amounts to unlawful reproduction of your copyrighted work.

Unlawful Access

Copyright Unlawful Access occurs when a product listing offers to sell unauthorized and illegal means to access your copyrighted work.

• Evidence showing how you determined that the product or content offers to sell unauthorized access to your copyrighted work.

For example, a seller is selling a "jailbroken" mobile phone that allows the user to download copyright infringing copies of software belonging to you. This amounts to unlawful access.

A product listing that offers full features to the a statistical software or tool.

Content Infringement

Copyright Content Infringement occurs when your copyrighted work such as photographic work(s) is used in a product listing's images or text description.

• Images clearly showing where your copyrighted work has been used on the product listing. There must be a substantial match between the product listing and your copyrighted work.

For example, a seller has used photos you have taken of a product in their product listing without permission. This amounts to content infringement.

Downloading images from Brand X's website and using it in your own seller listing is considered an infringement.

Unauthorized Use of Registered Copyright In Video/Live Content

This refers to an unauthorized use of copyrighted work found in a video/live content.

• Images showing where and when the unauthorized use has occurred (e.g., timestamped screenshots of video or LIVE content).

Unregistered Copyright

Unauthorized Use of Image In Product ListingUnauthorized Use of Image In Product Listing occurs when your copyrighted images are used in a product listing's images.

• Images clearly showing where your copyrighted work has been used on the product listing. There must be a match between the product listing and your copyrighted work.

For example, a seller has used your product images in their product listing without permission. This amounts to infringement.

Unauthorized Use of Unregistered Copyright In Video/Live Content

This refers to an unauthorized use of copyrighted work found in a video/live content.

• Images showing where and when the unauthorized use has occurred (e.g., timestamped screenshots of video or LIVE content).

Registered Design

Design infringement occurs when a listed product features an unauthorized use of your registered design.

• An illustration comparing the product to your registered design and identifying the protected design elements that are infringed by the product by highlighting the elements on the listed product images.
• Refer to the Design Infringement Reporting - Required Information and Documentation article for more details.
  

Utility Patent

Patent infringement occurs when there is unauthorized sale or offer for sale of any registered patented products.

• An illustration comparing the product to your registered patent and identify the protected patent claims that are infringed by the product by highlighting the elements on the listed product images.

Managing your Complaints

You can manage your complaints on the Complaint Management page.

Step 6 - Monitoring Outcomes, Appeals & Retractions

Tracking outcomes

We email you the outcome of every complaint. You can also track status on the Complaint Management page.

Appeals

If we accept your complaint and remove the product, video, or LIVE, the seller has the right to appeal. We will notify you of our decision on the seller's appeal, and you can check its status on the Complaint Management page.

Retracting a complaint

If you submitted a complaint in error and wish to withdraw it, email e-commerce.ipnotice@tiktok.com with:

• A statement that the takedown request was wrongful/unintentional and that you wish to withdraw it
• The email address used to submit the complaint
• The Complaint ID (from the IPPC dashboard)
• The relevant product or content ID (from the IPPC dashboard)
• The complaint submission date

❗ We can only process retractions from the original submitter. Provide all fields to avoid delays. You will receive an email when the retraction is processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

IP Management

1. I own trademark rights in jurisdictions where TikTok Shop does not operate. Why am I not able to find the country selection in the IPPC IP Management page?

Certain IP rights, such as trademarks, are territorial. Consequently, you can only file complaints in jurisdictions where you hold valid rights. If you do not own IP rights in countries where TikTok Shop operates, you will be unable to file complaints there. Please consult external legal counsel if you require further advice.

2. Can a trademark application document be accepted as an IPR certificate?

No, please submit the trademark registration certificate after the successful registration of the trademark. Only active and registered IP rights will be considered for complaint submissions.

3. I have attached a LOA from the IP rights owner granting me the right to sell on TikTok Shop. Why is my document rejected?

Refer to the above section on "Letter of Authorization (LOA)/Power of Attorney (POA)". A LOA or POA regarding the right to sell or distribute the Rights Owner's products in the market of sale is considered invalid and will be rejected, as the scope is unrelated to the right to handle IPR complaints on behalf of the IP owner.

4. Why are my IP documents rejected?

In IPPC, go to IP Management. Then click on View Details and the rejection reason should appear in a pop up window. If you wish to resubmit the materials, follow the advice stated in the rejection message or review the above section on Managing Your IP Assets, and then click on Re-apply.
Common reasons for rejection:

• The IPR document is invalid. This may occur when you provide a WIPO or IP office website screenshot or a publicly-downloadable extract of the certificate, or when your submission is missing the full set of documents (eg: you have only provided the latest copy of the renewal certificate and did not attach the original trademark certificate too).
• Missing LOA/POA. If your IPPC user name and the IP owner name is not a match, a LOA/POA will be required in your submission.
• Invalid copyright documents submitted. This may occur when the copyright documents submitted under unregistered copyright do not sufficiently prove that you own the copyrighted work. Please ensure you provide evidence of copyright ownership, following the guidance under Documents to Submit when Registering a New IP Asset.

Complaint Management

1. I own trademark rights in jurisdictions where TikTok Shop does not operate. Why am I not able to raise complaints against products and content via the IPPC?

Certain IP rights, such as trademarks, are territorial. Consequently, you can only file complaints in jurisdictions where you hold valid rights. If you do not own IP rights in countries where TikTok Shop operates, you will be unable to file complaints there. Please consult external legal counsel if you require further advice.

2. The seller is not authorized to sell my products. Why was my complaint rejected?

TikTok Shop respects the rights of brand owners, manufacturers, trading companies, and distributors to enter into agreements concerning how their products should be distributed (such as exclusive distribution agreements). However, violations of such agreements are generally unlikely to constitute IPR infringement.
For more information on the types of infringement complaints that may not be accepted, please refer to this article.

3. Why are my complaints rejected?

If a complaint was rejected, please review the reason for rejection in the IPPC. You may consider resubmitting the complaint with additional supporting information following the guidance in the rejection message.
To view the rejection message in IPPC, go to Complaint Management, and click on View Details.
Within the complaint page, click on View Details again.
The rejection message will appear on the pop up window. Follow the guidance in the message and click Resubmit if you wish to provide additional supporting information.
Common reasons for rejection:

• Insufficient counterfeit/piracy indicators. This may occur when you have submitted a trademark counterfeit or copyright piracy complaint, but failed to provide indicators showing how the reported listing or content is different from the genuine product. The evidence presented should also be seen or verifiable on the reported listing or content.
• The use of the trademark on the product or content is valid. Referring to this article, when a trademark is used to describe characteristics of goods/services or the intended purpose of a product or service (honest commercial practices), such infringement complaints may be rejected.
• The only claim of infringement identified by the IP rights owner is that a seller is unauthorized to sell the product on TikTok Shop. Referring to this article, claims involving violations of distribution agreements or parallel imports may be rejected. As a platform, TikTok Shop respects the rights of brand owners to enter into distribution agreements, but we are not in a position to adjudicate or enforce such contractual arrangements, including complaints directed against parallel imports or gray market products.