How to Fix App Store Guideline 5.2 Intellectual Property Rejection
Prove rights or remove unauthorized brands, media, services, and misleading affiliations after an Apple Guideline 5.2 rejection.
What this rejection usually means
A 5.2 rejection means Apple cannot verify that you have the right to use third-party brands, content, services, or intellectual property—or the listing implies an affiliation that is not authorized. The remedy is evidence or removal, not a generic disclaimer.
Likely rejection signals
- Third-party trademarks appear in the title, icon, screenshots, or description
- The app streams, indexes, or republishes content without clear rights
- A client or institution relationship is not documented
- The developer name does not match the represented organization
Recovery plan
- Inventory every third-party name, logo, image, audio, video, API, and service visible in the app and listing.
- Map each item to ownership, license, permission, or an allowed nominative use.
- Remove or replace assets and claims that cannot be supported.
- Correct developer identity and metadata so no endorsement or ownership is implied.
- Provide concise, current authorization tied to the exact app and rights at issue.
Evidence to prepare
- Signed authorization naming the app and parties
- License terms and covered media
- Before-and-after metadata and assets
- Publisher identity and official-domain evidence
Appeal or fix first?
Appeal when you own or validly license the disputed material and can supply direct, verifiable documentation.
Fix first when rights are unclear, documentation is expired, or the presentation implies an unauthorized affiliation.
Reviewer response framework
Your response should be factual, short, and limited to the submitted build. Cover these points:
- Identify the exact disputed material.
- State whether it was removed or is authorized.
- Attach specific proof rather than a broad company document.
- Confirm that metadata and the binary now match.
Frequently asked questions
Will a 'not affiliated' disclaimer solve the rejection?
Not when the app still uses protected material without rights or presents itself in a misleading way.
Can client authorization be enough?
It can help if the client owns the relevant rights and the authorization clearly covers this app, developer, content, and distribution.
Need a rejection-specific plan?
Start with the free diagnosis. The $29 Fix Pack adds the prioritized remediation plan, evidence checklist, reviewer-ready reply, and preflight.
Source: Apple App Review Guidelines — 5.2 Intellectual Property. Platform policies change. Verify the official rule before submitting. Resubmit AI provides technical and editorial decision support, not an approval guarantee or legal advice.