Intellectual Property Policy

1. Overview

MerchNique Technologies Private Limited ("MerchNique") respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users of our platform to do the same. This Intellectual Property Policy outlines our approach to IP protection, infringement claims, and enforcement across our marketplace.

2. Creator Ownership

Creators who upload designs to MerchNique retain full ownership of their original artwork. By uploading, creators grant MerchNique a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing licence to display, reproduce, print, market, and sell products featuring their designs on the platform. Creators earn a commission on every sale, as outlined in their creator agreement. This licence is limited to the purpose of operating the marketplace and terminates when the creator removes their designs.

3. Prohibited Content

Creators may NOT upload designs that:

• • Infringe on any third-party copyright, trademark, patent, or other IP right
• • Use logos, brand names, or mascots of other companies without authorisation
• • Copy or closely imitate existing commercial designs
• • Use celebrity likenesses or names without proper consent or licence
• • Contain content generated by AI tools that incorporates copyrighted training data without proper licence
• • Use stock imagery, fonts, or assets beyond the scope of their licence

4. DMCA / Copyright Takedown (US Users)

MerchNique complies with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). If you believe your copyrighted work has been infringed, you may submit a DMCA takedown notice to our designated agent:

Your notice must include:

• • Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed
• • URL or description of where the infringing material is located on MerchNique
• • Your contact information (name, email, phone, address)
• • A statement that you have a good faith belief the use is not authorised
• • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information is accurate and you are the owner or authorised to act on behalf of the owner
• • Your physical or electronic signature

5. Counter-Notification

If you believe your content was wrongly removed, you may file a counter-notification to dmca@merchnique.com including: (a) identification of the removed material, (b) a statement under penalty of perjury that the removal was a mistake, (c) your consent to jurisdiction of the courts in your district, and (d) your signature. Content may be restored within 10–14 business days unless the copyright holder files a court action.

6. India — Copyright Act Compliance

For Indian users, MerchNique complies with the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. IP infringement complaints from Indian users will be processed through our Grievance Officer. MerchNique will remove infringing content within 36 hours of receiving a valid complaint, as mandated by Indian law.

7. Trademark Policy

"MerchNique", the MerchNique logo, and associated branding are trademarks of MerchNique Technologies Private Limited. Use of our trademarks without prior written consent is prohibited. If you believe a creator is using your trademark on MerchNique products, please contact legal@merchnique.com with proof of ownership.

8. Repeat Infringer Policy

MerchNique operates a strict repeat infringer policy. Creators who receive multiple valid IP complaints will face progressive action:

• • 1st offence: Content removed + formal warning
• • 2nd offence: Content removed + 30-day design upload suspension
• • 3rd offence: Permanent account termination + forfeiture of pending royalties

9. MerchNique Platform IP

All platform code, UI/UX designs, algorithms, databases, and proprietary technology are the intellectual property of MerchNique Technologies Private Limited. Users may not copy, reverse-engineer, decompile, or create derivative works from any part of the MerchNique platform without written authorisation.

10. Contact

For any IP-related questions or to report infringement:

• • DMCA / Copyright: dmca@merchnique.com
• • Trademark: legal@merchnique.com
• • India Grievance: grievance@merchnique.com