Ownership Claims and Intellectual Property Policy for Artwork
At
Sofa-Shop.co.uk, we are committed to respecting intellectual property rights and handling claims of artwork ownership responsibly. If you believe that a design or artwork listed on our site is your intellectual property, we welcome the opportunity to address your concerns in a fair and lawful manner.
How to Submit a Claim
To process your claim of ownership, please provide the following documentation and information:
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Proof of Ownership
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A copyright registration certificate, if available.
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Evidence of the original creation process, such as drafts, sketches, or digital files, including metadata showing creation dates.
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A link to a portfolio or website where the artwork is displayed and attributed to you.
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Detailed Description
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A clear description of the artwork, including its unique elements and any identifiable features.
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The location and method by which the artwork was created.
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Publication or Usage Evidence
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Details of the first publication or public use of the artwork, including dates and platforms (e.g., galleries, websites, or exhibitions).
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A list of any licenses previously granted for the artwork, along with supporting documentation.
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Identity Verification
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A copy of a valid ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license).
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Contact details, including your full name, email address, and phone number.
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Full Disclosure and Prompt Cooperation
Where to Send Your Claim
All claims must be submitted to:
Review Process
Upon receipt of your claim:
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We will acknowledge your submission within 7 business days.
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The product in question will be temporarily removed from our site within 7 additional business days pending further review.
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We will investigate and finalize our review within 8 weeks of the claim submission date.
Claims without sufficient evidence or full disclosure, will not be processed. We reserve the right to reject any claim that does not meet the requirements outlined above.
Compensation and Resolution
If your ownership is verified:
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You will be entitled to 10% royalties on the net sale price of the artwork sold through our website.
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Compensation will apply retroactively to sales made since the artwork was listed.
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Net sale price refers to the sale price excluding taxes, shipping costs, and other fees.
Important Notice
Submitting a false claim is a serious matter and may result in legal consequences under criminal and civil laws, including but not limited to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (UK) and other intellectual property statutes or criminal prosecution legislations. By submitting a claim, you affirm that you are acting in good faith and possess legitimate rights to the artwork in question.
Legal Context
Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, copyright protects original works, including artistic works, automatically upon creation. Ownership of copyright resides with the creator unless assigned or transferred. Unauthorized use of copyrighted material may infringe on these rights. However, claims of ownership must be substantiated with credible evidence to ensure fair resolution.
Efforts to Identify Ownership
We have made extensive efforts to identify the rightful owner of any uncredited artwork featured on our website. These efforts include:
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Conducting reverse image searches using tools like Google Images and TinEye.
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Searching public copyright registries and platforms for registered ownership.
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Reviewing online portfolios, galleries, and design platforms where the artwork may be displayed.
Despite these diligent efforts, in some cases, ownership remains unclear due to the lack of available information. As such, we operate under a good faith assumption and offer reasonable compensation at 10% of net sales to any verified rightful owner who comes forward.
We are dedicated to working cooperatively with claimants to resolve disputes and ensure compliance with intellectual property laws. Should you have any questions about this policy, please reach out to
Majad@sofa-shop.co.uk.