Policy AdvisorPolicyTikTok Source

Requirements for Cobranded Brand Authorization

Captured: TikTok page date: Hash: 49ff7c01193d

Creator TL;DR

AI-generated from the captured TikTok policy text. Verify against the TikTok source before acting.

TikTok says sellers need cobranded brand authorization when a product shows both their own brand and another brand. To apply, they must submit a complete cobranding license agreement that clearly names the licensor, licensee, licensed IP, license term, and matching product category. If the product images are also covered by another seller’s Originality Protection, extra image-use authorization is needed.

Key points

  • Apply if your product features both your brand and another brand.
  • Use Qualification Center: Brand Qualification > Add Brand Authorization > Co-Branding and Licensing.
  • Submit a complete cobranding license agreement.
  • The agreement must clearly identify the licensor, licensee, and licensed IP.
  • License term must be active; select Permanent if the license is permanent.
  • Product category must match the licensor IP’s trademark class.
  • List the product under the licensee brand after approval.
  • If images are protected under another seller’s OP, submit extra written image-use authorization.
  • If reselling cobranded products, obtain and submit a copy of the licensing agreement.
  • You may need separate applications for each character/IP even if one agreement covers multiple items.

Say / show

  • Use cobranded brand authorization when the listing combines two brands.
  • Make sure the licensor, licensee, and licensed IP names are accurate.
  • Confirm the license is not expired before submitting.
  • Match the product category to the trademark class.
  • Verify whether OP-protected images require additional authorization.
  • Use the licensee brand when listing the approved product.
  • Review the TikTok source before acting on this summary.

Do not say / show

  • Don’t assume a general brand license is enough without a complete agreement.
  • Don’t list the product under the licensor brand or the licensed IP.
  • Don’t submit if the application is expired or incomplete.
  • Don’t ignore OP/image-rights issues if the listing uses protected imagery.
  • Don’t assume one application covers every character or IP in all cases.

Violation risks

  • Selling cobranded products without authorization may lead to enforcement actions, including product takedowns.
  • Incomplete agreements can cause application rejection.
  • Unauthorized protected imagery may be blocked at the listing stage under OP.

Who it affects

  • Sellers selling products that feature both their own brand and another brand.
  • Resellers of cobranded products.
  • Sellers whose cobranded listings use images protected by another seller’s Originality Protection.

Source notes

  • Cobranding authorization is separate from Originality Protection (OP).
  • The source says some licenses may be permanent, and in those cases the Permanent checkbox should be selected.
  • The source says to submit individual applications for each character, even if one licensing agreement covers multiple characters.
  • The source says to verify the TikTok source before acting on this summary.

Confidence: high · Model: gpt-5.4-mini · Prompt: creator-policy-summary-v1

Readable Policy Copy

Captured policy content rendered without TikTok navigation, scripts, tracking markup, or page chrome. Source: article-html.

What is Cobranding?

Cobranding is a marketing strategy where two or more brands collaborate to create a product that features both brands' identifiers (logos, names, etc.). This strategy usually involves a licensing agreement between the brands.The typical scenario is as follows: The licensee (the first brand) obtains a license from the licensor (the second brand) to use the licensor's brand on the licensee's product.Note: Cobranded authorization vs. Originality ProtectionCobranded Brand Authorization confirms your right to sell products that combine multiple brand or license elements. It is separate from Originality Protection (OP), which safeguards original product images at the image level by auto-verifying them at listing and auto-registering them as Assets in IPPC. If a cobranded product listing uses images that are covered under another seller's OP protection, additional evidence of image-use authorization is required.

Who Needs To Apply For Cobranded Brand Authorization?

A seller must apply for cobranded brand authorization if they are selling products that feature both their own brand and another brand. Selling such products without authorization may result in enforcement actions, including product takedowns.

How To Apply For Cobranded Brand Authorization

You can apply for cobranded brand authorization through the Qualification Center. Select Brand Qualification > Add Brand Authorization > Co-Branding and Licensing.
Reminder: You should only select this option if you have a license to use another brand's IP (Intellectual Property) on your products.
To apply for this authorization, you must submit a cobranding license agreement. Failing to provide a complete agreement will result in the application's rejection. Ensure that it explicitly mentions the following:
  • Licensor: This refers to the brand that is granting you the license to use their IP on your products. They can be the brand owner or a licensing agency managing their brand on their behalf.
  • Licensee: This refers to your brand (i.e., the brand that is licensed to use the licensor's IP).
❗After your cobranding application is approved, ensure that you list the product under the licensee (your) brand. Refer to the "How Brand Authorization Works" section in our main Brand Authorization guide for more details.
  • Licensor IP: This refers to the trademark that the licensor has granted you a license to use. This may be a brand name, logo, design, or other brand identifier.
  • Expiry date for the license
❗We understand that some licenses are permanent. In such cases, please select the "Permanent" checkbox in your brand authorization application.
  • The product category you intend to sell.
❗This should match the trademark class on the licensor IP's trademark certificate.
  • If your cobranded product listing images incorporate images that could match an Original Image Asset protected under another seller's Originality Protection (OP), provide additional written authorization from the image rights owner. Listings using unauthorized protected imagery may be blocked at the listing stage under OP.

What If I Am Only Reselling Cobranded Products?

You must obtain a copy of the cobranding licensing agreement, and submit it to us.
💡Ask your product supplier for help in securing this agreement.
Examples Of Cobranding ScenariosScenario AImagine 2 fictional companies:
  • SolarSip: Your company and brand, a beverage company known for eco-friendly drinks.
  • Iceberg: A company that makes self-cooling container technology, trademarked as TechGlow.
Iceberg authorizes your company SolarSip to make a cobranded product utilizing TechGlow. The TechGlow logo is clearly visible on the product, but the product is branded SolarSip. This is a cobranded product because customers see both brands presented equally as contributors. If you want to apply for cobranded brand authorization to sell this bottle:
  • The licensor is Iceberg since they granted you permission to use TechGlow.
  • The licensee is SolarSip because you received the permission to use TechGlow.
  • The licensor IP is TechGlow.
Scenario BImagine 2 fictional companies:
  • Drinkware: A company and brand that sells vacuum flasks.
  • Better Comics: A company and entertainment brand that owns famous cartoon, movie, and superhero characters.
Drinkware collaborates with Better Comics to feature a cartoon character, Manyman, owned by Better Comics on its flasks. You intend to resell these flasks. If you want to apply for cobranded brand authorization to sell these flasks:
  • The licensor is Better Comics since they granted Drinkware permission to use Manyman.
  • The licensee is Drinkware because they received permission to use Manyman.
  • The licensor IP is Manyman.
  • Once we approve your application, you can sell flasks displaying Manyman. If you want to sell flasks that feature other characters, you must submit applications for each character.
Note: Some licensing agreements might cover multiple characters. However, you will still need to submit individual applications for each character. You can reuse the same licensing agreement in your applications.
Checklist: Submitting A Cobranding or Licensing Application
  • Ensure that the document you submit includes terms like "licensor", "licensee", and "license". These indicate that the document is a licensing agreement.
  • Ensure that it is clear who is the licensor, licensee, and licensed IP.
  • Ensure that the licensor, licensee, and licensed IP names are accurate. The licensor name and licensed IP must match the official trademark certificate. The licensee name must match the proof-of-business documents you submitted when registering your seller account.
  • Ensure that the application is not expired.

Key Requirements:

  • A complete cobranding license agreement.
  • Clear identification of the Licensor, Licensee, and Licensor IP.
  • An active (non-expired) license term.
  • A product category that matches the licensor's trademark class.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the licensor IP verified?Trademarks are verified through USPTO. The details in your submission must match the information in the TESS database.
What happens when my license expires?You will lose brand authorization which may result in product takedowns. We recommend reaching out to the licensor to obtain new documentation 30 days before the expected expiry date. The process will be the same as the first application for brand authorization and can be submitted through the Qualification Center.
I have a cobranded license from Brand A and Brand B. Are my listing images automatically protected by Originality Protection?No. Cobranded authorization confirms your right to sell the licensed product. Image-level protection through OP requires separate eligibility and a one-time opt-in accepted in IPPC. See the Intellectual Property Policy for details.
Note: When listing the product, remember to select the licensee's brand (SolarSip), not the licensor's (Iceberg) or the licensed IP (TechGlow).

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