Intellectual Property Claim

Effective Date: 15/05/2024
Store Name: Apitee
Legal Business Entity: Ashton Bartels, Sole Proprietor
Business Address: 5917 Santo Domingo Ct, New Bern, NC 28560, United States
Support Email: support@apitee.com

1. Introduction

Apitee (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects the intellectual property rights of creators, designers, brands, artists, and all copyright or trademark owners. We are committed to complying with all applicable intellectual property laws and enforcement standards.

This Intellectual Property Claim Policy outlines how individuals or rights holders may report unauthorized use of their intellectual property on our website or through our services.

This policy covers:

  • Copyright claims (images, text, artwork, graphics, product designs)

  • Trademark claims (brand names, product names, logos, slogans)

  • Counterfeit or imitation product concerns

  • Misuse of proprietary or custom designs

  • DMCA-related matters (managed under our DMCA Policy)

This policy is designed to maintain transparency and ensure compliance with Shopify, Google Merchant Center, and U.S. intellectual property laws.

2. What Qualifies as an Intellectual Property Violation?

You may submit an IP claim if you believe your protected intellectual property has been:

  • Copied

  • Reproduced

  • Used without permission

  • Distributed without authorization

  • Displayed without consent

  • Sold without rights

  • Misrepresented or imitated

Examples include:

Copyright Violations

  • Images taken from your website

  • Artwork, illustrations, or graphics used without permission

  • Product descriptions or text copied from your content

  • Unauthorized replication of original product designs

Trademark Violations

  • Unauthorized use of your brand name

  • Use of a confusingly similar mark

  • Logos placed on products without approval

  • Counterfeit or imitation goods using your trademark

Other IP Violations

  • Unauthorized sale of proprietary or custom products

  • Copying packaging layouts or protected design elements

  • Use of protected digital assets or content

If you are unsure whether your claim qualifies, you may still contact us for clarification.

3. How to Submit an Intellectual Property Claim

To file an IP claim, email us at:

support@apitee.com
Subject Line: Intellectual Property Claim – [Your Name / Company]

Your claim must include the following information:

A. Contact Information

  • Full legal name

  • Company name (if applicable)

  • Mailing address

  • Phone number

  • Email address

B. Identification of the Intellectual Property

Provide one or more of the following:

  • Copyright registration number

  • Trademark registration number

  • Proof of ownership (portfolio links, source files, timestamps, etc.)

  • Screenshots or documents verifying original creation

  • Additional verification materials (if applicable)

C. Description of the Infringing Content

Include:

  • Exact URL(s) on apitee.com

  • Description of how the content violates your rights

  • Screenshots or comparison images (optional but helpful)

D. Required Legal Declaration

Your claim must include the following statements:

“I have a good-faith belief that the use of the material described is not authorized by the intellectual property owner, its agent, or the law.”

“The information in this claim is accurate, and I am the intellectual property owner or authorized to act on behalf of the owner.”

“I understand that submitting false, misleading, or fraudulent claims may result in legal consequences.”

E. Signature

You may sign with:

  • Physical signature

  • Electronic signature (typed full name)

Incomplete submissions may be denied until all required information is provided.

4. What Happens After You Submit a Claim

When we receive your claim:

  • We review the claim within 3–5 business days

  • Content under review may be temporarily disabled

  • We may request additional information

  • We will notify the seller or uploader of the claim

  • Content may be permanently removed if the claim is valid

  • A full case record will be maintained

All claims are evaluated carefully and fairly.

5. Counter-Notification Process

If content is removed due to a claim, the uploader may submit a Counter-Notification if they believe the removal was incorrect.

A valid counter-notification must include:

  • Full legal name and contact information

  • Identification of the removed content

  • Explanation of why the removal was an error

  • Evidence proving ownership or authorized rights

  • A declaration consenting to U.S. jurisdiction for legal matters

  • Electronic or physical signature

If a valid counter-notification is received:

  • We forward it to the original claimant

  • The claimant has 10–14 business days to file legal action

  • Content may be restored unless we receive notice of a court order

6. Repeat Infringer Policy

To comply with legal standards, we may:

  • Remove or disable content from repeat offenders

  • Restrict account access

  • Ban users permanently

  • Block product listings

  • Prevent future uploads

Determining “repeat infringement” is at our discretion.

7. False Claims & Abuse of Reporting

Submitting false, fraudulent, or misleading IP claims is prohibited and may result in:

  • Account suspension or banning

  • Reporting to legal authorities

  • Civil liability for damages

Claimants should confirm ownership before filing.

8. No Legal Advice

This policy is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
If you are unsure whether your rights have been violated, consult a qualified intellectual property attorney.

9. Contact Information

For all IP inquiries or claims, contact:

Apitee – Intellectual Property Compliance
Email: support@apitee.com
Address: 5917 Santo Domingo Ct, New Bern, NC 28560, United States