Anime clothing, can I sell anime apparel on Shopify ?

Topic summary

A user wants to sell anime-themed apparel on Shopify using custom embroidery designs on caps from their manufacturer. They’re uncertain whether they need licensing agreements from anime creators/distributors to legally sell these products.

Key Clarification from Shopify:

  • Licensing is required to sell another party’s intellectual property
  • Stores without proper licensing face removal and DMCA takedown notices
  • The only compliant path is purchasing from licensed wholesalers, making the seller an authorized reseller

Unresolved Questions:

  • Whether AliExpress sellers offer licensed anime products (raised by multiple participants)
  • How to verify if a manufacturer/trading company produces goods under proper licensing
  • Whether avoiding DMCA complaints alone is sufficient protection

The discussion remains open regarding practical sourcing strategies for licensed anime merchandise and verification methods for supplier legitimacy.

Summarized with AI on November 1. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.

Hello I want to sell anime apparel, but on Shopify and I was reading that I need a license agreement from the creators or distributors of this anime ? Is this true ? I have a manufacturer that puts my anime embroidery designs on caps. Do I need permission or sales agreement to sell this stuff on a store like shopify ? How do I even go about asking that question to my manufacturer? I believe the goods need to be produce under license and then I could be in the clear correct ? Again if so what a good way to ask my manufacturer and to be honest I’m pretty sure he’s a trading company because he told me they buy the material and make it from scratch. My first product they put the anime design on it but I also create my own embroidery designs but of anime characters. Any tips and advice helps. Also heard if there’s no DMCA complaints agaisnt my store it stays up? I don’t do dropshipping and My delivery takes 3-4days and it’s free so I don’t have any complaints.

1 Like

Hey [email removed]Addel101!

Cal here from Shopify, thanks for reaching out to us. You are correct, you will indeed need a license to sell the intellectual property of another person. If you do not acquire a license your store will be removed and it will be subject to DMCA takedowns.

There are some wholesalers who sell licensed products, which would mean you would be a licensed re-seller. This is the only way for you to sell protected intellectual property.

I hope this makes sense!

2 Likes

If you need to digitize any embroidery work, you can Mail ( Digi Embroidery) us. We offer a money-back warranty. And we provide multiple formats of the design.

Do you happen to be a wholesalers who sell licensed anime products?

Do you want to sell licensed anime clothes with that proper procedure or just want to be a wholesaler?

what about listing anime stuff from aliexpress? are those licensed wholesalers?

Are Aliexpress sellers selling licensed products?

It’s really helpful to know because I had the same question for the clothing brand. This sums it up, I Guess!