Intellectual Property Policy

Last updated: 2025-12-01

Listings or products that infringe on the intellectual property rights of others are not allowed on Tise.

We don't allow products or listings that infringe the intellectual property rights owned by others including copyrights, trademarks, designs, patents and utility models. Examples of items not allowed under this policy are counterfeit products, replicas, unauthorised copies and unauthorised parallel imports.

What is the policy?

Sellers are responsible for ensuring that any item they list on Tise is authentic and that items and listings don't infringe the intellectual property rights of others.

Intellectual property rights include, for example:

Copyrights

Copyrights protect the creative works of an author or creator. They can cover literary works (such as books, poems, art and software) and artistic work (such as music, videos, paintings or photography). Using copyrighted material without permission of the rights owner can infringe on their intellectual property rights and is strictly prohibited on Tise.

In addition, neighbouring rights protect performances or productions by photographers, performers, producers, broadcasters and publishers. Use of these performances or works without the permission of the rights owner can also infringe on intellectual property rights.

Items listed on Tise must not infringe on a copyright or related rights. This includes:

• Unauthorised copies (e.g. of movies, music or software)
• Recordings of performances (e.g. of concerts, live shows or television broadcasts)
• Unauthorised imitations (e.g. of works of art)
• Unauthorised reprints (e.g. of trading cards or stamps)
• Articles on which protected works or services are affixed (e.g. T-shirts printed with a third-party photograph)

Trademarks

A trademark is any word, phrase, symbol, design or other combination (such as a brand name, slogan or a logo) used to identify a company's goods or services. Geographical indications (e.g. names of places, regions, territories or countries) used to designate the geographical origin of a good or service are also protected by trademark law.

Using a trademark or geographical indication without the permission of the owner can infringe on their intellectual property rights and is strictly prohibited on Tise.

Items listed on Tise must not use a trademark without permission. This includes:

• Listing items marked with a sign that is confusingly similar to a protected trademark (if applicable, also on the packaging)
• Listing a fake, copied or counterfeit item, even if labelled as a copy

The way your item is listed must not infringe on one's trademark rights. For example:

• Using trademarks or brand names in your listing if the product isn't manufactured by or specifically compatible with that brand, including to increase views
• Using slightly altered brand names or phrases that create a false impression that the item or listing is affiliated with the trademark owner
• Adding third-party logos to your listing images or description
• Disparaging, vilifying or unfairly exploiting the reputation of a well-known trademark

Using trademarks in other ways on Tise may infringe intellectual property rights. For example:

• Using a third-party trademark in your username without permission, implying an organisational connection to the trademark owner
• Using a third-party trademark or logo in your profile image without permission

Some examples of potential trademark infringements include:

• Brand name misuse
  • A generic case made for an iPhone listed under the brand name "Apple"
  • Listing an Adidas shoe and adding the brand name "Nike" to divert search results
• Logo misuse
  • Listing a branded item and adding that brand's logos in your description or images without authorisation
• Trade dress
  • Listing an item that was not manufactured by Hermès that has the proprietary design of the Birkin bag

Design rights

A design is the visual appearance of a product, including lines, colours, shapes and textures. Design rights can be legally protected if the design is new (i.e. no identical design existed before) and distinctive (i.e. differs from previous designs in their overall impression).

Use of a design without the rights owner's permission is strictly prohibited on Tise.

Items listed on Tise must not infringe on the design rights of third parties. This includes:

• Items that copy or imitate a protected design
• Items whose overall impression doesn't differ from the protected design

An example of potential design right infringement includes:

• Listing a sofa that imitates the shape and textures of a sofa subject to a protected design right

Patents

A patent grants an inventor exclusive rights to their invention, allowing them to use it and prevent others from making, using or selling the invention without permission. Patents can cover a wide range of inventions, including manufactured goods, machines and various other items or processes.

A patent holder has the exclusive right to use their patented invention, so listing products that infringe on their patent is strictly prohibited on Tise. Determining whether a particular product infringes on a patent is often complex and not obvious. Therefore, it is important to consult with the right experts.

Items on Tise must not infringe the patent rights of third parties. This includes:

• Items that imitate a patented product
• Items that make unauthorised use of a patent

An example of potential patent infringement includes:

• Listing and selling a generic wireless earbud that uses a touch-control feature patented by a major tech brand

Utility model

Like a patent, a utility model protects inventions and can be registered by the patent office in various jurisdictions. However, utility models aren't examined by patent offices for the protectability of the invention and have a shorter protection period.

Listing or selling a product that is the subject of the utility model without permission is strictly prohibited on Tise. Like a patent, determining whether a particular product infringes on a utility model is often complex and not obvious. Therefore, it is important to consult with the right experts.

Items on Tise must not infringe on the utility model rights of third parties. This includes:

• Items that imitate a product protected by a utility model
• Items that make unauthorised use of a utility model

Other examples of intellectual property infringements include:

Counterfeits (including unauthorised replicas and copies)

Counterfeit items are typically fake or unauthorised copies of real products, and often lower quality than the authentic item. These products commonly mimic a company's brand, logo or distinct characteristics closely, resulting in potential infringements of the rights owner's intellectual property rights.

Counterfeit items, unauthorised replicas and copies of protected original items are not allowed on Tise. Such items are illegal and may infringe on third-party intellectual property rights.

You may list an item only if you are certain it is genuine and complies with the Counterfeit Policy. Listings must include photos showing the item clearly, from several different angles and in all relevant detail. Logos, or any other parts of the item, must not be hidden or blurred in the photos.

An example of potential counterfeit infringement includes:

• Listing a handbag that has a Burberry label on it but which wasn't manufactured by Burberry

Parallel imports

Parallel imports are genuine products that are sold in a country or region without the permission of the intellectual property rights owner.

Parallel imports can be considered intellectual property infringing in certain jurisdictions if the rights owner has not authorised the import or sale in that specific jurisdiction.

For example, if a branded handbag was intended for sale only in the United States and is then offered for sale to buyers in France without the rights owner's consent, this may be intellectual property infringement. In contrast, when that branded handbag has been placed on the market in the European Economic Area by the rights owner or with the rights owners' consent, it can be resold within the European Economic Area without further consent as long as it does not infringe for other reasons.

It is important that you ensure all listings and transactions comply with applicable laws in the jurisdictions you are listing in and posting to. Therefore, you are responsible for making sure your transactions are lawful in both the country where you are selling and the country you are posting to.

The Intellectual property policy provides information on some of the different types of intellectual property, as well as details on what items or listings typically infringe the intellectual property rights of others.

If an item is infringing, any listing that is selling the item is not allowed on Tise.

If the way you listed an item is infringing, such as use of a copyrighted image without consent from the rights owner, you may be able to revise your listing and remove the infringing content from your listing.

Activity on Tise is required to follow this policy, the Tise User Terms of Service and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn't, Tise may take action consistent with applicable laws and the Tise User Terms of Service, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.

If you have any questions about whether an item or a listing may be infringing intellectual property rights, please seek independent legal advice.