Copyright Policy
Last updated: 30 June 2026
1. Introduction
Cat Chronicles Studio exists to share original illustrations and merchandise celebrating the character and mischief of cats. Each drawing, design, and product begins as an original creative work, and the value of the Studio rests upon the integrity of that creative output. The present Copyright Policy sets out who owns the rights in our work, what you may and may not do with it, and how we respond to infringement. The policy applies to the entirety of www.catchroniclesstudio.com and to every product offered for sale, and it supplements the intellectual-property provisions contained within our Terms and Conditions.
2. Ownership of Creative Works
All artistic, literary, and graphic content produced by the Studio is protected automatically upon creation under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without any requirement of registration. Protected works include, but are not confined to, the following:
Original artwork: Every illustration, drawing, character design, and composition created for the Studio, whether displayed on the Website or reproduced on a physical product.
Product designs: The visual designs applied to prints, greeting cards, mugs, coasters, bookmarks, beanie hats, tote bags, and any other merchandise.
Website content: The text, captions, product descriptions, photographs, graphics, layout, and overall presentation of the Website.
Brand assets: The name "Cat Chronicles Studio," together with associated logos, wordmarks, and visual identity.
Ownership of, and all economic and moral rights subsisting in, these works belong to Stephen Smith, trading as Cat Chronicles Studio, or to the Studio's licensors where applicable. International protection arises through the Berne Convention and related treaties, which extends recognition of our rights to most countries worldwide.
3. Rights Reserved
All rights in the protected works are expressly reserved. The purchase of a physical item gives you ownership of that tangible article and nothing more; it confers no licence, assignment, or transfer of copyright, design right, or any other intellectual-property interest in the underlying artwork. Put plainly, you own the print or the mug, while the Studio continues to own the artwork printed upon it.
4. Permitted Personal Use
We are glad for customers and visitors to enjoy our work within the bounds of ordinary personal use. Without seeking further permission, you may do the following:
Display purchased items: Show and enjoy any print, card, or product you have lawfully bought within your own home or as a personal gift.
Browse the Website: View, navigate, and temporarily cache pages of the Website for the purpose of accessing our shop.
Share links respectfully: Share a link to a product page or to our Instagram account, @cat_chronicles_studio, provided that our work is properly attributed and not presented as your own.
Any use extending beyond these limited personal purposes requires our prior written consent.
5. Prohibited Uses
To protect the originality on which the Studio depends, the following activities are strictly prohibited in the absence of an express written licence from us:
Commercial reproduction: Printing, manufacturing, or selling any product bearing our illustrations or designs, whether identical to or derived from our work.
Unauthorised copying: Downloading, screenshotting, scanning, scraping, or otherwise reproducing images or content from the Website for redistribution, republication, or storage beyond ordinary personal viewing.
Derivative works: Adapting, modifying, tracing, recolouring, or incorporating any part of our artwork into other designs, products, tattoos, or branding.
Misattribution and passing off: Presenting our work as your own, or using our name, designs, or visual identity in a way liable to suggest a connection, endorsement, or affiliation that does not exist.
Training of automated systems: Using our artwork or content to train, develop, or refine machine-learning or generative-artificial-intelligence models without our express written authorisation.
6. Licensing and Commercial Enquiries
Opportunities for collaboration, commissioning, or the licensed commercial use of our designs are welcomed and considered on their merits. Should you wish to use any of our work for a purpose not permitted under Section 4, please write to us at info@catchroniclesstudio.com with a description of the intended use, the duration, the territory, and the context. Any licence granted will be set out in writing, and use without such written agreement remains an infringement irrespective of attribution or acknowledgement.
7. Trade Marks
The name "Cat Chronicles Studio" and its associated branding operate as marks identifying the origin of our Goods. Use of these marks, or of any confusingly similar sign, in connection with goods or services, or in a manner that takes unfair advantage of or is detrimental to their distinctive character, is prohibited and may give rise to liability under the law of registered and unregistered trade marks, including the tort of passing off.
8. Material You Share With Us
Where you submit content to us, for example a product review, a photograph, or a social-media post that tags or features our Goods, you retain ownership of your own material while granting the Studio a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to display, reproduce, and share that content for the purpose of promoting our products. You warrant that any material you submit is your own, does not infringe the rights of any third party, and contains nothing unlawful or defamatory. Consent to our use may be withdrawn at any time by contacting us, whereupon we will cease further use within a reasonable period.
9. Reporting Infringement
We take the protection of creative rights seriously, whether our own or those of others, and we do not knowingly permit infringing material on the Website. Should you believe that any content published by the Studio infringes a copyright or other right that you hold, please notify us in writing at info@catchroniclesstudio.com, including the following particulars:
Identification of the work: A description of the copyrighted work or right you believe has been infringed.
Location of the material: The precise web address or product reference where the allegedly infringing material appears.
Your contact details: Your full name, address, and email so that we may correspond with you.
A statement of good faith: Confirmation that you believe in good faith that the use complained of is not authorised, together with a statement that the information you have provided is accurate.
Upon receipt of a valid notice, we will investigate promptly and, where appropriate, remove or amend the material in question.
10. Enforcement and Consequences
Infringement of the Studio's intellectual-property rights is treated as a serious matter. Where unauthorised use is identified, we may pursue any remedy available at law, including a request for immediate cessation, the delivery up or destruction of infringing articles, an injunction, an account of profits, damages, and the recovery of legal costs. Persistent or commercial-scale infringement may additionally constitute a criminal offence under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Nothing in the present policy limits the remedies otherwise available to us.
11. Contact
Questions regarding this Copyright Policy, requests for permission, and notices of alleged infringement should be addressed to:
Cat Chronicles Studio 147 Moat Way, Brayton, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 9TB, United Kingdom
Email: info@catchroniclesstudio.com
Website: www.catchroniclesstudio.com
Instagram: @cat_chronicles_studio.