PRIVACY POLICY

Meerkat and Co. Prints: Privacy and Intellectual Property Policy

Introduction

This policy outlines how Meerkat and Co. Prints handles your personal information and establishes the rules regarding the use and ownership of the original images, designs, and content used on our website and products.

Image and Design Protection Policy (Intellectual Property)

Ownership of Content:
- All images, graphics, designs, and artwork displayed on this website and used on our products (e.g., mugs) are the exclusive, copyrighted property of Meerkat and Co. Prints.
- These designs are protected as the result of the Owner's creative input, selection, and compilation, even if generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
Unauthorized Usage Prohibition:
- You may not copy, download, reproduce, modify, distribute, or publicly display any designs from this website for commercial or non-commercial use without our express written permission.
Product Protection (Mugs and Branding):
- Purchasing a product grants you ownership of the physical item only, not the underlying artwork or the right to reproduce it.
- All physical products visibly feature the Meerkat and Co. Prints logo as a permanent mark of origin and ownership.
- Purchasers are expressly forbidden from removing this logo or claiming to be the original creator of the artwork on the purchased item.
Resale Restriction:
- While you may resell the physical product (the mug), you may not use the underlying design or an image of the design to create or sell any new, derivative products (like printing it on a new t-shirt or poster).

3. Customer Data Privacy Policy

Information We Collect:
- Identifiers: Name, email address, shipping address, and billing address.
- Transaction Data: Details regarding the products you purchase.
- Communication Data: Records of correspondence (e.g., customer service emails).
How We Use Your Information:
- Order Fulfilment: To process transactions, ship products, and provide order updates.
- Customer Service: To respond to your questions and support requests.
- Security: To prevent fraud and ensure compliance with legal obligations.
- Marketing: Only if you have explicitly opted-in for promotional updates.
Data Sharing and Disclosure (We Do Not Share Your Data):
- We only share data with essential third parties for business operations:
  - Shipping Providers (to deliver your order).
  - Secure Payment Processors (to handle financial transactions).
  - Legal Compliance (if required by law).
Data Security and Retention:
- We use reasonable security measures to protect your data.
- We retain your personal data only as long as necessary to full fill orders and meet legal retention requirements.

Age Restriction and Privacy Policy Clause

1. Age Restriction (Applies to Website, Products, and Content)

Our website, products (including all mugs), and digital content (including fantasy animation images) are not intended for, directed at, or marketed to individuals under the age of 16 (sixteen) years old.

By accessing and using this website, or by purchasing any product, you represent and warrant that you are at least 16 years of age or older.

We understand that our fantasy animation images may appeal to a wide audience. However, all products sold on this site (the mugs) are intended for purchase and use by adults and are not designed or marketed as children's products or toys.

2. Children's Privacy (Applies to Personal Information Collection)

We are committed to protecting the privacy of minors. Consistent with global regulations, we do not knowingly:

Solicit personal information from anyone under the age of 16.
Collect personal information from anyone under the age of 16.
Sell or Market our products directly to individuals under the age of 16.

If we become aware that we have inadvertently received personal information from an individual under the age of 16, we will delete that information from our records immediately. If you believe that we may have any information from or about a child under 16, please contact us immediately using the information provided in our "Contact Us" section.

Our Copyright & Originality Promise

We Value Creativity and Respect the Law

We are dedicated to offering unique and high-quality designs for your custom products. To ensure we operate ethically and legally, we need to share a few important notes regarding the images we can and cannot use:

Important Note on Protected Images (Logos & Trademarks)

We sincerely apologize, but we cannot print images, logos, or designs that are protected by copyright and trademark laws.

This includes, but is not limited to:

Official football team logos and branded mascots.
Characters, logos, and art from major studios like Disney, Marvel, or Warner Bros.
Branded company logos or copyrighted merchandise.

We strictly adhere to intellectual property rights and cannot accept orders that infringe on these protections.

Our Commitment to Originality

The stunning images you see on our products are all originals, created by us!

100% Unique: Our designs were not purchased as readily available files for general use or download.
Handcrafted Artistry: We put care, time, and creativity into developing every pattern and image you see.

Thank you for helping us maintain an ethical and original creative space! If you have any questions about submitting your own custom art, please feel free to reach out.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Mugs & Packaging

Q: What size are your ceramic mugs?
- A: All our printed ceramic mugs are the standard 11 oz size.
Q: How are the mugs packaged for shipping?
- A: We use an extremely secure method! Each mug is placed inside a sturdy, protective box and is heavily cushioned using ample wrapping papers and protective materials. This rigorous packaging process is designed to prevent damage during transit.

Returns and Refunds Policy

Q: Can I return my mug if I change my mind?
- A: No, due to our careful packaging and the custom printed nature of our products, we have a No Returns policy. We encourage you to double-check your order before finalizing the purchase.
Q: My mug arrived broken. What should I do?
- A: Please inspect your order immediately upon arrival. If the mug is damaged, you must contact us within 24 hours of delivery.
Q: Am I guaranteed a refund if my mug is damaged?
- A: We only issue a refund if our team determines that the damage was clearly caused by courier negligence despite our secure, extensive wrapping. The risk of damage is very low due to our robust packaging.
Q: What information do I need to provide to report damage?
- A: You must send us clear photos showing three things:
  1. The damaged mug.
  2. The exterior of the shipping box (showing any signs of mishandling).
  3. The interior packaging materials (the protective wrapping we used).
Q: What if I report the damage a week after delivery?
A: To be eligible for review, all damage claims must be submitted within 24 hours of the delivery date. Claims submitted after this window will not be eligible for a refund.