Developer Console

Intellectual Property, Deceptive Behavior, and Spam Policy

This page discusses the Amazon Appstore policies regarding Intellectual Property (IP), deceptive behavior, and spam.

The examples in each section describe specific app scenarios that violate the Amazon Appstore Content Policies and will be rejected by the Appstore. These lists are not exhaustive, and the examples may change over time as new scenarios arise.

Your apps, including app metadata, must not infringe on the intellectual property rights (including copyright, trademark and publicity rights) of a third party. These guidelines also apply to Amazon and use of Amazon's trademarks and branding. See the Amazon Trademark Guidelines.

Avoiding IP Violations

You must have permission to use third-party copyrighted content, trademarked content, or content that incorporates the name, image, or likeness of a celebrity. Many developers believe that they may use such content without infringing upon the third party's intellectual property rights as long as they include a disclaimer stating that such use is unofficial or that they are not affiliated with the intellectual property owner. This is not the case; any unauthorized use of a third party's intellectual property, regardless of any disclosure or disclaimer, can constitute intellectual property infringement.

As the developer, you are ultimately responsible for ensuring that you hold all necessary intellectual property rights to distribute an app through Amazon. If you are unsure if you own all rights to the app and its content, please consult an attorney.

Examples of IP Violations

  1. An app that uses a popular character from a third party (e.g. Mickey Mouse) without licensing that character from the third party.
  2. Re-distributing an existing app from a third party as your own.
  3. Using artwork or promotional images from a third party in your app or game without permission.
  4. Full reproductions or translations of copyrighted content.

Deceptive Behavior

Amazon does not allow apps that engage in behavior that is meant to deliberately deceive the apps' users.

Examples of Apps with Deceptive Behavior

  1. An app that contains malicious functionality, such as stealing users' personal information.
  2. A prank app that does not disclose its prank functionality in its product description.
  3. An app that implies sponsorship or endorsement by Amazon or otherwise mischaracterizes the relationship with Amazon.
  4. An app that implies sponsorship or endorsement by other popular brands or otherwise mischaracterizes the relationship with a brand.

Spam

Amazon does not allow apps to send unsolicited messages to users.


Last updated: Apr 06, 2018