Intellectual Property Policy

Last updated: January 7th, 2024

KizAfrika is a pan-African marketplace dedicated to promoting authentic handmade and African-made products. We respect and protect intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, designs, traditional cultural expressions, and other legally protected rights.

This Intellectual Property Policy explains how rights owners can report infringement, how sellers may respond, and how KizAfrika handles such claims.

1. Report Intellectual Property Infringement 

If you believe that content on KizAfrika infringes your intellectual property rights, you may submit a report through our Intellectual Property Portal.

You must:

• Be the rights owner or authorized agent
• Submit reports in good faith
• Provide accurate and complete information

Your report should include:

• Identification of the IP right (registration number, description, first date of use, etc.)
• Nature of the infringement (product, packaging, image, or description)
• URLs of the infringing listings
• Supporting documentation (if available)
• Your contact details
• Any other information required under applicable laws

KizAfrika may request additional documentation before processing a claim.

2. Copyright Infringement Notice

If you are a copyright owner or authorized representative, you may submit a formal copyright notice including:

• Physical or electronic signature
• Identification of copyrighted work(s)
• Identification of infringing material
• Your contact details
• Good faith statement
• Statement under penalty of perjury confirming accuracy

If a valid notice is accepted, KizAfrika may remove the reported content and take appropriate action.

Repeat infringer policy: We may suspend or permanently remove sellers who repeatedly violate intellectual property rights.

3. Counter-Notice

If a seller believes their listing was removed in error, they may submit a counter-notice explaining:

• Why the material is not infringing
• Evidence of authorization or ownership
• Any additional documents required by law

Upon receiving a valid counter-notice, KizAfrika will review the matter in accordance with applicable laws.

4. Withdrawal of Report

A rights owner or authorized agent may withdraw a previously submitted infringement report through the IP Portal by clearly identifying:

• The original complaint details
• The intellectual property claimed
• The affected listing(s)

5. False or Bad Faith Notices

Submitting false, misleading, or bad faith claims may result in rejection of the report and possible restriction of reporting privileges.

Knowingly submitting fraudulent notices may expose the complainant to legal liability.

KizAfrika remains committed to protecting original African craftsmanship, handmade creations, and creative rights across the continent.