Copyright & Content Takedown
Last updated: 21 July 2026
Tradeza respects intellectual-property rights and expects our users to do the same. This page explains how to notify us if you believe content on Tradeza infringes your copyright, trademark, or other rights, and how our take-down process works under South African law.
1. Our Position on Infringing Content
Ads and other content on Tradeza are created by our users, not by Tradeza. As an intermediary, we do not monitor every listing in advance. However, we will act on valid notifications of infringement. Posting content that infringes someone else's intellectual property — including counterfeit goods, pirated media, or unauthorised use of a brand, logo, or copyrighted images — is prohibited under our Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy.
2. Take-Down Under the ECT Act
This process follows Section 77 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (the "ECT Act"), which sets out how a rights holder may notify a service provider of unlawful material and request its removal. To be valid and to be acted upon, a take-down notification must contain all of the information listed in Section 3 below. On receipt of a valid notification, we will remove or disable access to the identified content as soon as reasonably possible.
3. What Your Take-Down Notice Must Include
In line with Section 77(1) of the ECT Act, your written notification must include the following. Incomplete notices may not be actioned.
- Your full names and physical address;
- Your written or electronic signature;
- Identification of the right that has allegedly been infringed (e.g. the copyright work or trademark you own);
- Identification of the material or activity that is claimed to be infringing;
- The location of the material on Tradeza — ideally the exact URL(s) of the ad(s) or content;
- Your contact details;
- A statement that you are acting in good faith;
- A statement that the information in the notification is, to your knowledge, true and correct.
Please note: under Section 77(2) of the ECT Act, a person who knowingly makes a false or wrongful take-down notification may be liable for any resulting damages. Do not submit a notice unless you are the rights holder or authorised to act on their behalf.
4. How to Submit a Notice
Send your complete take-down notification to our designated contact:
Tradeza — Copyright & Takedown Agent
Email: copyright@trade-za.co.za
Please use the subject line "ECT Act Take-Down Notification" so we can prioritise it.
For a quicker response to a specific listing, you may also use the Report button on any ad, but a formal infringement claim should be sent to the address above with the full information required in Section 3.
5. What Happens After We Receive a Notice
- We review the notification to confirm it contains the required information.
- If valid, we remove or disable access to the identified content as soon as reasonably possible.
- We notify the user who posted the content that it has been removed following an infringement notice.
- Repeat infringers may have their accounts suspended or permanently terminated.
- We keep a record of notices received in accordance with our data-retention practices.
6. If You Believe Content Was Wrongly Removed
If your ad or content was removed and you believe this was a mistake — for example, because you own the rights, have permission, or the material does not infringe — you may contact us at copyright@trade-za.co.za with an explanation and any supporting evidence. We will review your response in good faith. Tradeza does not adjudicate ownership disputes between parties; where a genuine dispute exists, the parties may need to resolve it directly or through the courts.
7. Tradeza's Own Intellectual Property
The Tradeza platform, name, logo, branding, design, and source code are the property of Tradeza and its founder, and may not be copied or reused without written permission. For details, see our Intellectual Property Declaration.
Questions?
For questions about this policy or the take-down process, contact copyright@trade-za.co.za.