Guideline 4.1(c) - Design: Unauthorized Use of Another Developer's Brand or Icon

Apple is rejecting your app because it uses another developer's trademarked name, icon, or branding elements without documented approval. This is the 4.1(c) variant — distinct from general copycat (4.1(a)) and impersonation (4.1(b)). Here, Apple has identified specific brand assets belonging to another entity being used in your app or metadata. This commonly happens when developers use logos of integrated services (e.g., displaying the Spotify logo in your DJ app, or the YouTube logo in your downloader), include partner brand marks without a formal agreement on file with Apple, or use another company's app icon style as their own. Apple provides a clear resolution path: if you have legitimate authorization to use the branding, attach documentary evidence (licensing agreement, brand usage permission letter, partnership documentation) in App Store Connect's App Review Information section. If you don't have authorization, you must remove all unauthorized brand elements. The fastest compliant path is to replace third-party brand assets with text references or your own original assets. You can say 'Works with Spotify' in text — you cannot display the Spotify logo without a brand usage agreement.