IP & Anti-Counterfeiting Policy

Catalog Ouafra Global Marketplace Policy: Anti-Counterfeiting & Intellectual Property Infringement Policy

Under Moroccan law · Last updated: 7 November 2026

1. Purpose and scope

Catalog Ouafra is an online marketplace operated by Ouafra. It connects independent Moroccan and African artisans, cooperatives and makers with buyers worldwide. We protect the creativity of our makers and the rights of third-party rights holders.

This policy applies to every seller, listing, product image, text, design and brand shown on catalog.ouafra.com, in all languages.

2. Legal framework

This policy is based on the laws of the Kingdom of Morocco and on the international treaties Morocco has joined.

  • Law No. 17-97 on the protection of industrial property, as amended and supplemented (including by Laws No. 31-05 and No. 23-13): trademarks, industrial designs, patents and geographical indications, registered with OMPIC.
  • Law No. 2-00 on copyright and neighbouring rights, as amended and supplemented (including by Laws No. 34-05 and No. 79-12): original works such as artworks, photographs, texts and expressions of folklore. Copyright arises from creation and does not require registration, but authorship must be provable.
  • Law No. 31-08 laying down consumer protection measures: misleading commercial practices, including false claims about origin, materials or authenticity.
  • Law No. 53-05 on the electronic exchange of legal data and Law No. 09-08 on the protection of personal data (CNDP): how electronic notices and the personal data in reports are handled.
  • International treaties such as the Paris Convention, the Berne Convention, the TRIPS Agreement and the Madrid Protocol, as they apply in Morocco.

3. What is not allowed on Catalog Ouafra

  • Counterfeit goods, or goods using a registered trademark, logo or brand name without authorisation, including replicas and items that copy a brand.
  • Copies of another maker’s designs, patterns, artworks, photographs or product descriptions without permission.
  • Items that falsely claim to be handmade, made in Morocco, made by a cooperative, or made with a protected technique, label or origin.
  • Misuse of geographical indications, collective or certification marks, or cooperative labels.
  • Use of another seller’s photos, videos or text in your own listing.

4. Seller responsibilities

  • List only products you created yourself or that you are authorised to sell.
  • Use your own photos and descriptions, or content you have the right to use.
  • Be ready to show proof on request: invoices, creation photos, licences, registration certificates or cooperative authorisations.
  • Answer our requests within 3 working days. An unanswered request may lead to the listing being disabled.

5. Reporting an infringement

Rights holders, or their authorised agents, can report a listing with our IP report form. A valid report includes:

  • Your identity and contact details, and the identity of the rights holder if you act as an agent (with proof of authority).
  • A description of the protected work, mark or design, with registration details (office, number, date) or other evidence of ownership.
  • The exact URL of each listing concerned.
  • An explanation of why the listing infringes your rights.
  • A statement of good faith that the use is not authorised, a statement that the information is accurate, and your electronic signature.

IP report form Step-by-step guide

6. How we handle reports

Our target is to decide within 5 working days of receiving a complete report.

  • Acknowledgement: you receive a reference number within 2 working days.
  • Review: we check the report and may ask you or the seller for more evidence.
  • Action: if the report is valid, we may remove or disable the listing, ask the seller to correct it, suspend sales of the product, or suspend the seller’s account.
  • Seller response: the seller is informed and has 7 days to respond with evidence of their rights. A listing may be restored if the report is withdrawn or not supported.
  • Outcome: we tell you the result in writing. If a dispute remains, the parties may bring it before the competent Moroccan courts.

7. Repeat infringers

Sellers with three or more confirmed infringements within 12 months may have their account permanently closed.

8. Original artworks and Ander.ma

Ander.ma is the digital platform launched by Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication to protect original artworks and fight counterfeiting. Artists can record their works and supporting documents there. The records form a reference database used to check authenticity. It is a prevention and verification tool and does not replace legal action or a report to Catalog Ouafra.

  • Artists selling original works (paintings, sculptures, installations, digital creations) on Catalog Ouafra are encouraged to register them on Ander.ma and to give the record reference when asked.
  • If you are an artist and find a copy of your work on Catalog Ouafra, add your Ander.ma record reference to your report if you have one. It helps us verify authorship faster.
  • Catalog Ouafra is independent. It is not operated by, or affiliated with, the Ministry. Ander.ma covers artworks; for crafts, trademarks and designs, the bodies listed below remain the reference.

Visit Ander.ma

9. Official bodies

  • OMPIC: Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (trademarks, designs, patents, geographical indications).
  • BMDA: Moroccan Copyright Bureau (copyright and neighbouring rights).
  • Ander.ma: Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication platform for original artworks.
  • ADII: Moroccan Customs Administration (border measures against counterfeit goods).

10. False reports and personal data

Knowingly submitting a false or abusive report may lead to its rejection, closure of the reporter’s account and legal liability.

Reports are processed under Law No. 09-08. We share the content of a report, including the name of the rights holder, with the seller concerned so they can respond. We do not share contact details unless the law requires it.

We may update this policy. The version published on this page applies.

Contact

Questions about this policy or a report? Write to us: team@ouafra.com · +212 6 64 02 66 60

This page is general information based on Moroccan law. It is not legal advice.