Policy AdvisorPolicyTikTok Source

Requirements for Cobranded Brand Authorization

Captured: TikTok page date: Hash: 9f962ff697b0

Creator TL;DR

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

TikTok Shop says sellers need cobranding brand authorization when a product includes both their brand and another brand. To apply, submit a complete cobranding license agreement through Qualification Center and make sure the licensor, licensee, licensed IP, license term, and product category are all clearly and correctly identified. If the listing images use protected images from another seller, extra written image-use authorization is also needed.

Key points

  • Apply if your product shows 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 name the licensor, licensee, and licensed IP.
  • The licensor name and licensed IP must match the official trademark certificate.
  • The licensee name must match your seller account proof-of-business documents.
  • The license must be active; mark permanent only if the license is permanent.
  • The product category must match the licensor IP trademark class.
  • List the product under the licensee brand after approval.
  • If selling only resold cobranded products, submit a copy of the licensing agreement.
  • If listing images are covered by another seller’s Originality Protection, provide additional written image-use authorization.

Say / show

  • I have a valid cobranding license agreement.
  • The licensor, licensee, and licensed IP are clearly identified.
  • My license is active or permanent as applicable.
  • My product category matches the trademark class.
  • I will list the product under the licensee brand.
  • I will provide extra image-use authorization if the listing images are protected by another seller.

Do not say / show

  • I can list a cobranded product without authorization.
  • I can choose the licensor brand when listing after approval.
  • Any agreement is enough even if it is incomplete.
  • A missing or expired license is acceptable.
  • I can reuse protected images without separate image-use permission.

Violation risks

  • Application rejection if the agreement is incomplete.
  • Product takedown or other enforcement if cobranded products are sold without authorization.
  • Listings may be blocked at the listing stage if unauthorized protected imagery is used.

Who it affects

  • Sellers offering products with both their own brand and another brand.
  • Sellers in all sales formats, including Live Auctions.
  • Sellers reselling cobranded products.
  • Sellers whose listings use images protected by another seller’s Originality Protection.

Source notes

  • Verify the latest TikTok source before acting, because this summary is based only on the provided page text.
  • The source distinguishes cobranded brand authorization from Originality Protection; they are separate requirements.

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. This applies to all sales formats, including Live Auctions, where certain brands are involved. 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).

Policy Advisor

Fast policy guidance from captured TikTok Shop snapshots.

Open full advisor