Intellectual Property Policy

1. Our Intellectual Property Policy

Custom Patches New York’s intellectual property policy governs three things: the content published on this website, the production files our team creates to manufacture a patch, and the ownership and licensing rules around a logo, design, or piece of artwork a customer submits for production. This policy applies to every patch style we manufacture, including embroidered, woven, PVC, leather, and chenille patches, and it covers a single-patch order in the same way it covers a bulk order for a school, team, business, or organization across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and the rest of the country.

This policy works alongside our Refund & Guarantee Policy and Terms of Service, which govern proof approval, production, and order terms. Sections 2 through 9 below explain ownership and licensing in detail.

2. Ownership of Website Content

All text, photographs, graphics, design templates, and other material published on custompatchesnewyork.com belongs to Custom Patches New York or is licensed for our use, and this content is protected by copyright law. Copying, reproducing, or redistributing this website’s content for a commercial purpose without our written permission is not permitted.

Customers and visitors can reference, link to, or quote a limited portion of this site for personal or editorial use, provided the source is credited. Each patch-type page, resource guide, and trust page on this site falls under this same ownership rule.

3. Our Trademarks and Brand Assets

The Custom Patches New York name, our logo, and other brand marks displayed on this site are trademarks and brand assets of Custom Patches New York. Using our name, logo, or brand assets in advertising, a resale listing, a third-party website, or any material that suggests an endorsement or partnership requires our written permission.

A customer linking to this website or mentioning Custom Patches New York by name in a genuine review, testimonial, or news article does not need separate permission.

4. Customer-Submitted Designs and Artwork

A customer who submits a logo, design, image, or piece of text for a custom patch retains ownership of that original artwork. Custom Patches New York reproduces the submitted design onto the patch material, thread, and backing the customer selects, exactly as shown on the approved digital proof described in our Refund & Guarantee Policy.

Submitting a design for production does not transfer ownership of that design to Custom Patches New York, and we do not reuse a customer’s submitted artwork on another customer’s order or in our own marketing without separate permission.

5. Your Responsibility for Third-Party Rights

Every customer who submits a logo, mascot, team name, brand mark, or other artwork confirms that they own the design or hold permission, license, or authorization to reproduce it on a custom patch. This includes a sports team logo, a university mascot, a corporate brand mark, a licensed character, or any other design that belongs to someone other than the customer placing the order.

Custom Patches New York relies on this confirmation at the time of order and does not independently verify ownership or licensing for every submitted design.

6. Indemnification for Infringing Designs

A customer who submits a design that infringes a third party’s copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property right agrees to hold Custom Patches New York harmless from any resulting claim, demand, or expense, including a reasonable cost of defense.

If our New York team receives a credible report or legal notice concerning a specific order, we can pause or cancel production of that order while the matter is reviewed, as outlined in Section 10.

7. Digitizing Files, Molds, and Production Artwork

Custom Patches New York creates the digitized embroidery file, PVC mold, or other production artwork needed to manufacture each custom patch design at no added cost. These production files are created by our team and remain the property of Custom Patches New York as part of our manufacturing process.

A customer can request a reorder of the same design at any time without paying a new digitizing fee, since the original production file stays on record with our New York team.

8. License to Use Your Finished Patches

Once a finished patch order is delivered, the customer can wear, display, distribute, or sell the physical patches as part of their own uniforms, merchandise, or products. This license covers the finished patches themselves and does not extend to the underlying digitized file, mold, or production artwork described in Section 7, which remains our property.

9. Military, Law Enforcement, and Government Insignia

Custom Patches New York manufactures custom patches for individual officers, units, departments, and supporters connected to military, police, and fire service organizations across New York and nationwide. Custom Patches New York is not officially affiliated with the New York Police Department or the New York City Fire Department, and a patch produced in a similar style to an NYPD or FDNY design does not imply an official partnership or endorsement.

A customer ordering a patch tied to an official rank, insignia, or government seal is responsible for confirming they are authorized to use that design within their own organization before submitting it for production.

10. Reporting a Copyright or Trademark Concern

A person or business that believes a patch design produced for a Custom Patches New York customer infringes their copyright or trademark can report the concern to our New York team by calling (917) 735-9139 or by submitting our contact form. Include a description of the intellectual property right involved, the design or order in question if known, and contact information for follow-up.

Our New York team reviews each report and can pause or cease further reproduction of a disputed design while the concern is resolved between the relevant parties.

11. What This Policy Does Not Cover

• Verifying or guaranteeing that a customer-submitted design does not infringe a third party’s copyright or trademark
• Legal advice regarding trademark registration, copyright protection, or licensing agreements
• A dispute between a customer and another party over ownership of a sports, university, or corporate logo
• A finished patch used in a way that violates a separate license or franchise agreement the customer holds with a third party
• Resale of Custom Patches New York’s own website content, photographs, or brand assets without written permission

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to own the rights to a design before ordering a patch?

Yes. Every customer confirms they own the submitted design or hold permission to reproduce it before our New York team begins production.

Can Custom Patches New York reproduce a sports team or university logo?

Only when the customer holds the rights or a license to that logo. We do not verify licensing on a customer’s behalf and rely on the customer’s confirmation at the time of order.

Who owns the digitized embroidery file or mold created for my patch?

Custom Patches New York owns the production file created to manufacture your design, and we keep it on record so you can reorder without a new digitizing fee.

Can I sell or distribute the finished patches I order?

Yes. Once delivered, you can use, wear, distribute, or sell the physical patches as part of your own products or merchandise.

What happens if my submitted design infringes someone else’s trademark?

You agree to hold Custom Patches New York harmless from a resulting claim, and we can pause or cancel production of the order while the issue is resolved.

Does Custom Patches New York check every design for copyright issues before production?

No. We rely on each customer’s confirmation of ownership or licensing rather than independently verifying every submitted design.

Can I use the Custom Patches New York logo or name on my own website?

Not without written permission, except for a genuine link, mention, or review that does not suggest a partnership or endorsement.

Are patches inspired by NYPD or FDNY designs official?

No. Custom Patches New York is not officially affiliated with the New York Police Department or the New York City Fire Department.

How do I report a patch design that infringes my copyright or trademark?

Call our New York team or submit our contact form with a description of your right, the order or design in question, and your contact details.

Will I still own my design if I cancel my order?

Yes. Canceling an order before production does not change ownership of your original design, since you owned it before submitting it to us.

13. Changes to This Page

We update this page when our intellectual property practices, production workflow, or reporting process change. We post the current version of this policy on this page with a new effective date.

14. Contact Us

Direct a question about ownership, licensing, or a copyright or trademark concern to our New York team.

Use our contact form or call during business hours for a free quote, typically returned within 1 hour. Visit our FAQ Hub for additional questions on materials, backings, and ordering, review our Refund & Guarantee Policy for proof approval and production terms, or read our full Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for additional detail on how we handle your order.