• Intellectual Property Claim

Intellectual Property Claim

Littlebizsmarts
Address: 511 W University Ave Apt 3, Champaign, IL 6182, United States
Email: support@littlebizsmarts.com
Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (EST), Monday – Saturday

Introduction

At Littlebizsmarts LLC (“Littlebizsmarts,” “we,” “our,” or “the Company”), we take intellectual property rights seriously and are committed to maintaining a marketplace that respects the legal rights of creators, artists, designers, manufacturers, brand owners, and all rights holders.

As a retailer offering apparel and accessories—including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, shoes, and related merchandise—we recognize the importance of ensuring that every item presented, promoted, or sold on littlebizsmarts.com adheres to applicable copyright, trademark, design protection, and other intellectual property laws. Our goal is to provide a transparent and lawful shopping environment where customers feel confident and rights holders feel protected.

This Intellectual Property Claim Policy outlines how we handle claims of infringement, what rights holders must provide when submitting a notice, how our team reviews and responds to claims, what we require from parties involved in a dispute, and how resolution is achieved. The purpose of this policy is to create a clear, structured framework to ensure all complaints are processed efficiently, thoroughly, and lawfully.

By accessing or using our website, submitting a claim, or responding to a claim, all parties acknowledge and accept the procedures described in this policy.

Our Commitment to Intellectual Property Compliance

Littlebizsmarts operates with a zero-tolerance approach toward intentional intellectual property misuse. We do not knowingly sell or distribute products that infringe upon copyrights, trademarks, patents, or other protected legal rights. To maintain the integrity of our business and the trust of our customers, we have implemented internal review procedures, content oversight protocols, and claim-response operations that support lawful commerce.

Our commitment includes:

  • Promptly reviewing all properly submitted IP claims

  • Removing or restricting any content or product listings found to be infringing

  • Cooperating professionally with rights holders during investigations

  • Providing clear communication to all affected parties

  • Requesting supporting documentation when necessary

  • Ensuring due process and fairness when evaluating claims

We encourage rights holders to contact us as soon as they believe an infringement has occurred so that we may take timely and appropriate action.

What Constitutes an Intellectual Property Violation

An intellectual property violation may include any unauthorized use of protected material, such as:

1. Copyrighted Content

This includes original artistic creations such as:

  • Graphic artwork

  • Photographs

  • Text content

  • Custom designs printed on apparel or accessories

  • Logos, illustrations, or artwork belonging to another entity

2. Trademarked Material

This includes identifiers that represent a brand or business, including:

  • Brand names

  • Logos

  • Slogans

  • Specific color combinations associated with a brand

  • Trade dress elements

  • Packaging or imagery recognizable as belonging to a protected brand

3. Patented Designs or Functional Inventions

This includes:

  • Product designs protected by design patents

  • Functional features protected under utility patents

  • Unique manufacturing methods or patterns

4. Publicity or Personality Rights

Such as:

  • Use of an individual’s name

  • Photographs or likeness

  • Voice or signature

5. False Association or Brand Misrepresentation

This may include:

  • Implying affiliation with a brand when none exists

  • Using brand identifiers that may mislead customers regarding product origin

If you believe any product sold on littlebizsmarts.com is infringing upon your legally protected rights, you may file a formal claim by following the instructions provided in this policy.

How to Submit an Intellectual Property Claim

Rights holders or authorized representatives may report potential infringement to Littlebizsmarts by emailing:

support@littlebizsmarts.com

Subject Line: Intellectual Property Claim – [Your Brand or Name]

To ensure that we can process your claim promptly and accurately, please include all the following information. Claims missing any required element may be delayed or not processed.

Required Information for a Valid IP Claim

Your claim must include:

1. Identification of the Rights Holder

Please clearly state:

  • Full legal name of the copyright/trademark/patent owner

  • Company name (if applicable)

  • Official role or relationship with the rights holder

2. Contact Information

We must be able to reach you for follow-up. Include:

  • Full name

  • Mailing address

  • Phone number

  • Email address

3. A Clear Description of the Intellectual Property Being Infringed

Provide:

  • A description of the copyrighted work, trademark, patent, or protected element

  • Registration numbers and issuing authorities (if applicable)

  • Date of registration or date of creation

Examples:

  • Trademark Registration Number

  • Copyright Registration Certificate

  • Patent Number

4. Identification of the Exact Product(s) You Believe Are Infringing

Include:

  • The URL(s) of the specific product page(s)

  • Screenshots if helpful

  • Description of what part of the listing you believe violates your rights

5. A Statement Explaining Why the Material is Infringing

Your explanation should clearly connect your rights to the product in question.

6. A Statement of Good Faith

This must confirm:

“I have a good faith belief that the disputed use of the material is not authorized by the intellectual property owner, its agent, or the law.”

7. A Statement of Accuracy

Must include:

“The information in this notice is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, I am the owner or authorized agent of the intellectual property rights being infringed.”

8. Signature

Electronic or physical signatures are accepted.

Claims missing critical information may require additional verification before action is taken.

How We Process Intellectual Property Claims

Once we receive a complete claim, Littlebizsmarts will initiate an internal review process that includes:

1. Confirmation of Claim Receipt

We will acknowledge receipt of your claim within a reasonable time frame during business hours (8:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST, Monday – Saturday).

2. Investigation

Our team will review:

  • The product listing in question

  • Submitted documentation

  • Registration certificates and proof of ownership

  • Applicable legal standards

  • Past use history (if relevant)

3. Temporary Actions (If Necessary)

In some cases, we may:

  • Temporarily unpublish or hide the listing

  • Suspend the item while verifying or contacting the seller and affected parties

4. Notification to the Alleged Infringing Party

If necessary, we may notify the party associated with the listing that a claim has been submitted, unless prohibited by law.

5. Determination and Action

Actions may include:

  • Removal of the listing

  • Request for modification

  • Restoration of the listing if the claim is not valid

  • Documentation of the incident for future compliance

6. Follow-up With the Claimant

We will inform you of the outcome as soon as the evaluation is complete.

Counter-Notification Procedure

If a party believes that a listing or material was removed in error, they may submit a counter-notice. This counter-notice must include:

  • Full name and contact information

  • Identification of the removed content

  • A statement affirming good faith belief that the material was removed due to mistake or misidentification

  • Authorization to contact the rights holder

  • Signature

Upon receiving a valid counter-notification, we may:

  • Restore the material

  • Continue the removal

  • Request additional documentation

Littlebizsmarts reserves the right to request legal verification where necessary.

Good Faith, Abuse Prevention, and False Claims

Submitting fraudulent or misleading claims is prohibited. We may decline or disregard claims that:

  • Lack required verification

  • Contain false statements

  • Are submitted by unauthorized individuals

  • Attempt to interfere with legitimate businesses unfairly

Littlebizsmarts reserves the right to deny future submissions from individuals or entities that repeatedly file abusive or unsupported claims.

Limitations and Disclaimer

Littlebizsmarts is not a legal authority and cannot:

  • Provide legal advice

  • Resolve disputes between two third-party rights holders

  • Interpret legal registrations beyond the documentation presented

We process claims in good faith based on available information but encourage rights holders to consult qualified legal professionals for matters requiring legal interpretation.

How to Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or a formal intellectual property claim, contact us by email:

support@littlebizsmarts.com

Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (EST), Monday – Saturday

We strive to maintain professional, lawful, and respectful communication throughout the review process.