This Acceptable Use and Intellectual Property Policy (“IP Policy”) governs the artwork customers submit to Custom Iron On Patches Ltd (“the Company”) and the Company’s use of that artwork. It defines the intellectual property rights of both parties, the categories of artwork the Company will not reproduce, the customer warranty of artwork ownership, and the process for intellectual property concerns and takedown requests.
This IP Policy forms part of the Company’s Terms and Conditions and should be read alongside them. By submitting artwork to the Company, the customer agrees to the terms of this IP Policy.
Last updated: 08-May-2026
1. Ownership of Customer-Submitted Artwork
1.1 Customer Artwork Remains the Customer’s Property
Artwork submitted by the customer to Custom Iron On Patches remains the intellectual property of:
a) The customer, where the customer is the original creator of the artwork, or b) The original rights holder, where the customer has obtained licence or permission from the rights holder to reproduce the artwork as patches
The Company does not claim ownership of, or any licence rights in, artwork submitted by the customer.
1.2 The Company’s Use of Customer Artwork Is Limited
The Company uses customer artwork solely and exclusively for the purpose of manufacturing the ordered patches. The Company will not:
- Use customer artwork for marketing, advertising, social media or case studies without explicit written permission from the customer
- Share customer artwork with other customers, prospects or competitors
- Reproduce customer artwork for any party other than the customer
- Use customer artwork as a template, reference or basis for artwork produced for third parties
- Retain artwork indefinitely beyond the customer relationship
Customer artwork is stored on UK-based servers with access restricted to the production team handling the specific order. See security and data handling for full detail on artwork file storage and access controls.
2. Ownership of Company-Created Artwork
2.1 Artwork Created by the Company From Scratch
Where the Company’s in-house design team creates artwork from scratch based on a customer description, brief or sketch, the artwork is owned by the customer once payment for the order is received in full. The customer may use the artwork for any purpose, including reproduction by other manufacturers in future, subject to standard intellectual property law.
2.2 Modifications to Customer-Submitted Artwork
Where the Company modifies customer-submitted artwork (for example, converting a raster image to vector format, redrawing for production suitability, or adjusting colour profiles for embroidery), ownership of the modified version is shared:
- The original artwork elements remain the customer’s property
- Technical production modifications made by the Company (stitch files, weave files, mould files, print profiles) are production tools created for the specific order
The Company retains production files (stitch files, digitised files) for re-order purposes. Where the customer requires the production files transferred to another manufacturer, the Company may provide the source files on request, subject to reasonable commercial terms.
3. Customer Warranty of Rights
3.1 Customer Warranty
By submitting artwork to the Company, the customer warrants, represents and confirms that:
a) They are the owner of all intellectual property rights in the artwork submitted, OR
b) They hold a valid, current and appropriate licence or permission from the rights holder to reproduce the artwork as custom patches in the quantity ordered, AND
c) The artwork does not infringe the intellectual property rights (including trademark, copyright, registered design rights or unregistered design rights) of any third party, AND
d) The artwork is not defamatory, obscene, hateful, threatening, illegal or otherwise unsuitable for reproduction under UK law, AND
e) Where the artwork incorporates military, police, government or public institution insignia, the customer holds verifiable authority to reproduce those insignia
3.2 Customer Indemnification
The customer indemnifies, defends and holds harmless Custom Iron On Patches Ltd, its directors, employees, agents and contractors from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from or in connection with:
- Any third-party intellectual property infringement claim arising from artwork supplied by the customer
- Any breach of the customer warranty in section 3.1
- Any claim by a rights holder that the patches produced infringe their intellectual property
This indemnification survives completion of the order and termination of any contractual relationship.
4. Categories the Company Will Not Reproduce
The Company reserves the absolute right to refuse to reproduce artwork that falls within the following categories, regardless of any assurances provided by the customer.
4.1 Registered Trademarks and Branded IP
The Company will not reproduce artwork incorporating or based on:
- Sports organisation logos and crests – Premier League clubs, Championship clubs, Scottish Premiership clubs, major European clubs (without licence). National team badges. Major US sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS clubs)
- Brand trademarks – Nike swoosh, Adidas three stripes, Supreme box logo, and similar globally-recognised brand marks where reproduction without licence is a clear trademark infringement
- Automotive and luxury brand marks – Ferrari prancing horse, Lamborghini bull, Porsche crest, and similar marks
- Fashion house marks – Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry check patterns, and similar
Exception: orders from the rights holders themselves (e.g. directly from the club’s official merchandise operation or brand’s corporate division) are accepted with documented authorisation.
4.2 Entertainment and Media IP
The Company will not reproduce artwork incorporating:
- Copyrighted fictional characters – Disney characters (Mickey Mouse, Marvel/Avengers/MCU characters, Star Wars, Pixar), DC Comics characters, Pokémon, Nintendo characters, Harry Potter, any major franchise character
- Film, TV and music logos – series logos, TV programme titles presented as branded patches, band and album artwork
- Video game artwork – game characters, logos, in-game assets
- Streamer and influencer marks – branded content belonging to online creators where no commercial licence exists
Why: UK copyright law (Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988) protects these characters and marks with full force. Reproducing them without licence is copyright infringement regardless of patch size or quantity.
4.3 Military, Police and Government Insignia
The Company will not reproduce artwork incorporating:
- British Armed Forces unit badges and insignia – without documented authority from the relevant regiment, squadron, ship or unit
- Royal Arms, Royal cyphers and Royal warrants – without documented authority
- NATO and ISAF symbols – without documented authority
- UK Police force crests and emblems – without documented authority from the relevant force
- Government agency logos – HMRC, DVLA, NHS England (as an organisation), UK Border Force, and similar
- Overseas military insignia where reproduction without authority could conflict with international obligations
Why: military insignia reproduction is governed by a combination of Crown copyright, regimental IP rights, and in some cases the Uniforms Act 1894. Unauthorised reproduction risks criminal liability, not just civil.
For authorised customers (e.g. official regimental associations, MoD contractors, police uniform suppliers): the Company requires written evidence of authorisation before accepting orders. This evidence is retained in the order record. Contact the team at quote stage to discuss.
4.4 Hate Speech, Extremist and Offensive Content
The Company will not reproduce artwork that:
- Promotes, glorifies or celebrates organisations proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000 or recognised as hate groups under UK law
- Incorporates symbols associated with Nazism, fascism, white supremacy, or other extremist ideologies
- Depicts or advocates violence, sexual exploitation or illegal acts
- Is racially, religiously or otherwise discriminatory in content or intent
- Is defamatory of any individual or organisation
- Is obscene within the meaning of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
The Company reserves the right to make these assessments unilaterally. Orders declined on these grounds will not be explained in detail.
4.5 Content Involving Children
The Company will not reproduce artwork that depicts, sexualises or exploits children in any way. This is an absolute restriction.
4.6 Uncertain Cases
Where the Company is unsure whether artwork falls within a restricted category, it may:
- Ask the customer to provide evidence of rights or authorisation before accepting the order
- Decline the order and explain that confirmation of rights is needed
- Accept the order conditional on written warranty from the customer and documented file note
The Company is not obliged to advise whether a particular piece of artwork would be accepted before the customer provides the full artwork for assessment.
5. Consequences of IP Infringement or Policy Breach
Where the Company discovers (before, during or after production) that customer artwork infringes third-party intellectual property or breaches this IP Policy:
5.1 Pre-Production Discovery
- The order is immediately declined or paused
- The customer is informed that the artwork cannot be produced
- If payment has been received, it is refunded in full
- Production files are not retained
5.2 During Production Discovery
- Production is halted immediately
- The customer is informed
- If infringement is confirmed, the partially-produced patches are destroyed (not passed on, not sold to third parties)
- Refund terms depend on stage of production at discovery. The Company will act reasonably
5.3 Post-Production Discovery
- The Company informs the customer
- The Company cooperates fully with any legitimate takedown or IP enforcement process
- The Company may contact the rights holder directly where disclosure obligations arise
6. Takedown Requests (IP Enforcement)
Rights holders who believe Custom Iron On Patches has produced patches incorporating their intellectual property without authorisation may submit a takedown request.
6.1 How to Submit a Takedown Request
- Email: [email protected] (subject: “IP Takedown Request”)
- Include:
- Identification of the rights holder and the rights at issue
- Description of the intellectual property allegedly infringed
- Description of the infringing patches (photographs if available)
- Statement that the rights holder believes the patches were produced without licence
- Contact details for follow-up
6.2 Response Process
- Acknowledgement: within 2 working days
- Investigation: the Company investigates the claim, including reviewing the original order, customer warranty provided, and artwork submitted
- Resolution: the Company communicates findings within 10 working days
Where infringement is confirmed:
- No further production of the infringing design is accepted
- Production files for the design are deleted
- The Company cooperates with reasonable rights-holder enforcement requests
- The Company does not release customer personal data to third parties without a valid court order or other lawful basis
7. Artwork Security and Confidentiality
Customer artwork is handled with the following protections. See security and data handling for full technical detail.
7.1 Standard Handling
- Artwork files stored on UK-based servers with restricted access
- Access limited to the production team and assigned account manager
- Not shared with third parties without explicit customer permission
7.2 Enhanced Handling for Sensitive Artwork
Customers in sectors where artwork is commercially or operationally sensitive, military units, police forces, fashion brands with pre-launch designs, corporate customers with confidential branding, can request enhanced handling:
- Documented chain of custody from submission to dispatch
- Restricted access to named account manager and named production specialists
- Secure deletion of artwork files at order completion
- Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) available on request
To arrange enhanced handling, mention the requirement at quote stage. For NDA-protected projects, contact the team before submitting artwork.
8. Using Patches Produced by Custom Iron On Patches
Where the Company has produced patches based on customer-provided or customer-approved artwork, the customer is responsible for:
- Ensuring they have the legal right to use, distribute and display the patches
- Ensuring the patches do not infringe third-party IP in their final application
- Ensuring use of patches in connection with military, uniformed services or official organisations has appropriate authority
The Company accepts no liability for infringement arising from the customer’s downstream use of produced patches where the customer has warranted their right to the artwork under section 3.
9. Reporting a Concern
To report an intellectual property or acceptable use concern:
- Email: [email protected] (subject: “IP Concern”)
- Phone: 07746 501247
For formal escalation, see the complaints procedure.
10. Changes to This Policy
Updates apply to orders placed after the date of update. The Company reserves the right to update the list of refused artwork categories in section 4 as UK law and enforcement practice evolves.
11. Contact Us
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 07746 501247
Address: Custom Iron On Patches Ltd, 10 Newhall Street, Birmingham, B3 3AG