brand use and ip policy

Brand use and Intellectual Property policy

Global Brand-Safe Use Policy

For GZ Industrial Supplies Group & All Affiliated Websites

Effective Date: November 2, 2025
Applies To: All GZ-managed websites including gz-supplies.com, gzsupplies.com and any future affiliated domains.

1. Purpose of This Policy

This Brand-Safe Policy establishes our global standards for using logos, trademarks, product images, descriptions, and other intellectual property belonging to manufacturers, distributors, and brand owners.

Its goals are to:

  • Maintain strong, compliant relationships with brand owners

  • Protect our websites from trademark and copyright violations

  • Ensure all marketing assets are used legally and responsibly

  • Support accurate and ethical representation of all products sold

  • Avoid service disruptions (DMCA, suspensions, takedowns, legal action)

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All staff members

  • Contractors, virtual assistants, content writers

  • Web designers & developers

  • SEO teams

  • Product upload teams

  • Marketplace managers (Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Jumia, Konga, etc.)

  • Affiliate managers

  • Brand partners

  • Any external parties adding content to our sites

3. What Is Allowed (Safe Practices)

3.1 Use of Original Product Photos

We are permitted to use:

  • Photos we take of our own inventory

  • Photos taken by our warehouse or retail team

  • Images created in our studio

  • Photos obtained directly from our authorized supplier (e.g., Dubai distributor) when explicitly allowed for reseller use

These images must:

  • Show the actual product

  • Avoid using branded promotional backgrounds

  • Avoid adding logos on top of the image unless authorized

3.2 Use of Textual Product Descriptions

We may describe:

  • Product specifications

  • Features

  • Use cases

  • Benefits

  • SKU numbers

  • Model numbers

as long as:

  • We do not copy copyrighted marketing language verbatim

  • We write descriptions in our own words unless the supplier provides authorized text

3.3 Use of Brand Names in Non-Promotional Context

We may use brand names factually to describe the products we sell, including:

  • “DeWalt Cordless Drill 18V…”

  • “Black+Decker Angle Grinder…”

  • “Stanley Hand Saw…”

provided we:

  • Do not imply endorsement

  • Do not use logos

  • Do not use brand slogans unless authorized

  • Do not create brand pages without written approval

4. What Is NOT Allowed (Prohibited Practices)

4.1 Unauthorized Use of Logos

We do not use:

  • Official brand logos

  • Vector logos

  • Brand badges

  • Branded category headers

  • Official marketing artwork

unless we have written authorization from the brand owner.

4.2 Use of Official Marketing Images

We do not use:

  • Lifestyle promotional photos

  • Images taken from the brand’s website

  • Images taken from brand catalogs / brochures

  • Images from Google searches

  • Watermarked images

  • Photos with copyrighted backgrounds

unless:

  • The brand explicitly gives us permission

  • Our supplier includes them in an “authorized reseller kit”

4.3 Creation of Unauthorized Brand Pages

We do not create:

  • Brand landing pages (e.g., “Dewalt Tools”),

  • Pages that appear like official brand stores

  • Pages that use their colors or brand identity

  • Banner ads featuring brand logos

unless the brand has approved us as an authorized reseller and given written permission.

4.4 Use of Hidden or Concealed Trademark Terms

We do not hide brand names in:

  • Meta tags

  • Image ALT tags (unless describing an actual product)

  • Schema markup

  • Footer links

  • Invisible text

  • Redirect loops

All brand names must be used accurately and openly, not deceptively.

5. Supplier Verification & Documentation

We will only use marketing assets from:

  • Manufacturers

  • Official brand licensees

  • Authorized distributors

Each supplier must provide one or more of the following:

  • A written authorization letter

  • A reseller agreement

  • Brand-use guidelines

  • An asset pack containing approved images

All such documents are stored in our internal brand compliance archive.

6. Content Upload Checklist (Mandatory for All Staff)

Before uploading any product content, the staff member must confirm:

✔ The image is original or authorized

✔ No official logos appear unless allowed

✔ No copyrighted marketing graphics are used

✔ Description is original or authorized

✔ No promotional claims the brand hasn’t approved

✔ The content does not imply partnership or endorsement

Failure to follow this checklist leads to:

  • Immediate content removal

  • Internal compliance review

  • Potential suspension of access privileges

7. DMCA, Trademark, and Takedown Response Process

If we receive a complaint from a brand owner or host provider:

  1. Immediate review within 24 hours

  2. Removal of any questionable content

  3. Notification to management

  4. Direct communication with the brand owner

  5. Documenting corrective actions

  6. Updating internal controls to prevent recurrence

We respond respectfully, quickly, and with full transparency.

8. Global Training Requirements

Every member of the organization involved in content, sales, SEO, or product upload must undergo training that covers:

  • Proper brand representation

  • How to identify copyrighted materials

  • What constitutes trademark infringement

  • How to safely use product images

  • DMCA procedures

  • Platform-specific compliance (BigCommerce, Amazon, eBay, etc.)

Training is repeated every 6 months.

9. Request for Brand Authorization

We maintain a proactive policy of seeking:

  • Official reseller approval

  • Authorized marketing material

  • Brand guidelines

from major brands we sell frequently.

This protects our customers and strengthens our relationship with manufacturers.

10. Enforcement

Violations of this policy can result in:

  • Immediate content removal

  • Suspension of staff access

  • Contract termination for external contractors

  • Legal referral if intentional misuse is identified

11. Updates to This Policy

This Brand-Safe Policy may be updated as:

  • New brands are added

  • Laws change

  • Contractual requirements evolve

  • Platforms update DMCA enforcement rules

All changes will be communicated internally within 7 days.