App Store Reject

Guideline 5.2.1

Guideline 5.2.1 - Legal: Using Copyrighted Material Without Permission

High RiskMedium DifficultyTypical Fix: 1-3 days0 Reports
Also known as:App includes copyrighted images, music, or video without permissionUse of copyrighted characters or intellectual property without authorizationBrand logos or trademarked content used without licenseScreenshots or preview videos contain copyrighted materialThird-party content used without documented rights

Our Take

Apple is rejecting your app because it includes copyrighted material — such as music, images, video, text, characters, or brand logos — without documented permission from the rights holder. Under guideline 5.2.1, apps must not use protected third-party material unless the developer holds the rights or has a valid license. This rejection most commonly involves: (1) using copyrighted images found online without a license, (2) including music tracks without sync licenses, (3) using characters or intellectual property from movies, TV shows, or games without authorization, or (4) incorporating brand logos, trademarked names, or distinctive design elements from other companies. Apple does not evaluate fair use claims — that is for courts to decide. If copyrighted material is present and you cannot demonstrate rights, Apple will reject. The reviewer may identify copyrighted material in the app itself, in screenshots, in the app description, or in preview videos. Even placeholder content used during development (stock photos with watermarks, copyrighted music in demo videos) will trigger this rejection if it makes it into the submission.

Resolution Guide

01

**Audit all media assets** — Review every image, sound, music track, font, video clip, character, and logo in your app. For each, verify you have documented rights (created in-house, licensed, purchased, or public domain/CC0).


02

**Replace unlicensed content** — Replace any copyrighted material with: original content, properly licensed stock assets (with commercial license), public domain/CC0 material, or assets you commission.


03

**Check screenshots and previews** — Audit App Store screenshots and preview videos for copyrighted material. Replace any unauthorized content there too.


04

**Provide license documentation** — If you do have rights, attach license agreements or written permissions in the App Review Notes or Resolution Center. Include: rights holder name, license scope, and date.


05

**Remove brand references** — Remove any logos, trademarked names, or distinctive brand elements from other companies unless you have explicit written permission to use them.

Prevention

  • Maintain a media asset inventory with license documentation for every asset
  • Use royalty-free stock photo/music services with commercial licenses
  • Never use images from Google Image Search without verifying licensing
  • Commission original artwork and music for key brand elements

    • Example Rejection Email

    From:Apple App Review Team
    Subject:Guideline 5.2.1 - Legal: Using Copyrighted Material Withou
    Guideline 5.2.1 - Legal - Intellectual Property Your app includes copyrighted material that appears to be used without permission from the rights holder. Specifically, your app contains [images/music/characters/brand logos] that are protected by copyright. The use of copyrighted content requires documented permission from the intellectual property owner. Next Steps: Please either: 1. Remove all copyrighted material from your app, screenshots, and preview videos. 2. Provide documented proof of your right to use the copyrighted material (license agreement, written permission from the rights holder) in the App Review Notes or via the Resolution Center. If you believe your use is authorized, please attach the relevant licensing documentation.

    Consider Appealing

    Appeal if you hold a valid license or rights to the material. Attach the license agreement, written permission, or rights documentation to the appeal. If you've licensed the material but didn't include documentation, this is a straightforward appeal to resolve.

    Generate Appeal

    Before & After

    Before — Rejected

    App uses popular movie character images sourced from Google Images as category icons; background music is a well-known pop song with no sync license

    After — Approved

    Category icons replaced with original illustrations created by the team; background music replaced with royalty-free track from Epidemic Sound (commercial license attached to review notes)

    What changed: Every media asset must be either original, properly licensed, or public domain. 'Found it online' is never a valid license.

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