Meta ad rejected · Third-Party Intellectual Property Infringement
Why was my Meta ad rejected for intellectual property infringement?
This rejection means Meta thinks your ad may infringe someone else's copyright, trademark or other rights, for example by selling counterfeits, using another brand's logo, or using music, footage or images you have no licence for. Replace anything you don't own or have permission to use, then resubmit or request another review in Meta Business Support Home.
What usually triggers it
- Selling or promoting counterfeits: products that copy another company's name, logo or distinctive features to imitate the genuine item.“1:1 replica designer bags, logo included.”
- Using another brand's name or logo in a way that suggests you are connected to it when you are not.
- Music in the ad without the licences you need, such as for the recording or the composition.
- Film, TV, sports or other creators' clips and photos used without permission.
- Offering or linking to copies of someone else's work, such as books, courses or software, or to sites dedicated to suspected counterfeits.“Free download: the full bestselling novel, no sign-up.”
- A report from a rights holder. Meta can reject or remove an ad after one, as well as when it sees signs of infringement itself.
How to fix the ad
- Use only images, video and music you created yourself, licensed, or have written permission to use, and keep proof of the licence or permission.
- For music, make sure you have the licences you need, for example for the sound recording and the musical composition, as Meta's policy asks.
- Remove other brands' logos, names and look-alike designs unless the rights holder has authorised you to use them.
- Describe your own product on its own terms. Do not call it a replica or copy of a branded product.
- Check the landing page too, because Meta's review can include the destination as well as the ad.
- If your own work is being copied by someone else's ads, report it through Meta's Intellectual Property Help Center or apply for Brand Rights Protection.
Risky wording, and safer wording
Illustrative examples to show the difference. Always check the full ad, image and landing page too.
| Risky | Safer |
|---|---|
| 1:1 replica of the famous designer bag, logo included. | Our own-design leather tote, made in small batches. |
| Get the famous trainer look for less, same logo. | Trainers with our own stitched logo, in sizes 3 to 12. |
| As seen in this year's biggest film. (Shown with a clip from the film.) | Behind the scenes of our new collection, filmed in our studio. |
| Free download: the full bestselling novel, no sign-up. | Free download: our own 20-page guide to starting a book club. |
If your ad is already rejected
- Open the rejection email or Meta Business Support Home and read the reason. Find the logo, track, clip, image or product listing that caused it.
- Edit the ad in Meta Ads Manager to replace that content with material you own or have licensed. An edited ad is automatically sent for review again. Avoid deleting it if you might want a review, because Meta says a deleted ad may lose the option to request one.
- If you believe the ad did not infringe anyone's rights, for example because you hold a licence, request another review in Business Support Home: select the account, select the ad, click Request review, then Submit. Meta aims to decide within 48 hours.
- Do not re-upload the same content with small edits to get past review. Meta removes accounts that repeatedly violate its intellectual property policy, and editing or deleting a rejected ad does not remove the violation.
- Keep records: licences and permissions, a screenshot of the rejected ad, the reason Meta gave and what you changed.
Check your next ad before you upload it
Paste the copy and add the image or video. The free checker scores the rejection risk, points to the exact words at fault and the Meta policy behind each one, and suggests a safer version. It estimates risk; it isn't a decision from Meta.
Likely to be rejected. Fix the flagged lines before you upload.
This supplement ad combines a personal-attribute callout, a specific weight-loss result, guaranteed results, clickbait and a URL shortener, so it is very likely to be rejected.
Are you struggling with belly fat? Our gummies helped Maria lose 12 kg in 3 weeks!!! See the before and after pics. Doctors hate this one trick.
GUARANTEED RESULTS
https://bit.ly/slim-offer
6 issues found · tap a highlight to jump to it
“Are you struggling with belly fat?” · primary text
The ad asserts a personal characteristic about the viewer by addressing them directly about a body condition.
Fix: Our gummies are designed to support a healthy metabolism.
“helped Maria lose 12 kg in 3 weeks!!!” · primary text
A specific weight-loss amount within a short timeframe is an exaggerated, unrealistic result, and supplement ads must target 18+.
Fix: Remove the specific result; use a general statement such as 'Part of a balanced routine for healthy weight management.'
“GUARANTEED RESULTS” · headline
Guaranteed results are a prohibited claim for health and weight-loss products.
Fix: Use 'Start your wellness routine today' or remove the claim entirely.
“Doctors hate this one trick.” · primary text
This is classic clickbait, and the triple exclamation marks add to the sensational tone.
Fix: Replace with 'Learn how our gummies fit into a healthy routine.'
“See the before and after pics.” · primary text
Before-and-after comparisons for weight loss are high risk and draw rejection.
Fix: Remove the before-and-after reference and focus on the product's ingredients.
“https://bit.ly/slim-offer” · landing page
URL shorteners hide the true destination and are high risk, and can lead to account-level enforcement.
Fix: Use the full, direct landing page URL on the brand's own domain.
Safer version
Are you struggling with belly fat? Our gummies helped Maria lose 12 kg in 3 weeks!!! See the before and after pics. Doctors hate this one trick.
GUARANTEED RESULTS
Meet our gummies, designed to support a healthy metabolism. Easy to add to your day and made to fit into a balanced routine for healthy weight management. Learn how they fit into a healthy routine.
Start your wellness routine today
Also change: Link: replace the bit.ly shortener with the full, direct URL on your own brand domain, and make sure the landing page has no before-and-after photos, guaranteed-result claims or specific weight-loss numbers. Creative: remove any before-and-after images and any overlay text about kilos lost. Show the product or lifestyle shots instead, with overlay text like "Support your healthy routine". Set ad targeting to 18+.
Questions
Why was my ad rejected for IP if nobody complained?
Meta says ads can be rejected or removed after a rights holder reports them, or because there are signs the ad may infringe someone's rights, even without a report.
Can I use popular music in my Meta ad?
Only if you have the licences you need. Meta's policy says ads with music must secure the necessary licences, for example for the sound recording and the musical composition.
Can I use another company's content if I have permission?
Yes. Meta's Community Standards allow content that is authorised by the rights holder and follows established fair use principles. Keep the permission in writing in case you need it for a review.
Someone is copying my products or ads. What can I do?
Meta points rights holders to its Intellectual Property Help Center to report infringing ads, and to Brand Rights Protection, which businesses can apply for.
Can intellectual property violations get my account removed?
Yes. Meta's Community Standards say it removes accounts that engage in repeated violations of its intellectual property policy, and severe or repeated ad violations can lead to advertising restrictions.
Meta's official pages
- Third-Party Intellectual Property Infringement (Meta Transparency Center)
- Third-Party Intellectual Property Infringement, Community Standards (Meta Transparency Center)
- How to troubleshoot a rejected ad (Meta Business Help Center)
Ad Account Shield is an independent tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Meta.
Related guides
- Misleading claimsPricing, endorsements or promises in the ad could mislead people for money.
- Landing page problemsBroken pages, ad-to-page mismatches, redirects, pop-ups and risky page content: why Meta rejects the ad and how to fix the page.
- AI-generated contentUndisclosed AI in political ads, misleading altered media, fake celebrity endorsements or AI images that break other rules.