Amazon Copyright Infringement: How to Report and Appeal

You log into Amazon, and your best-selling listing is gone due to copyright infringement. Within minutes, your account's health is damaged, and your revenue stops.

Whether you’re protecting your own intellectual property (IP) or defending against a claim, how you respond can mean the difference between a quick resolution and lost revenue.

This guide will walk you through what counts as copyright infringement, explain how to report it, and what to do should you receive a complaint.

Let’s get started.

What Counts as Copyright Infringement on Amazon?

A copyright on Amazon is a type of intellectual property (IP) that protects your original works of authorship.

Here are the common scenarios of copyright infringements:

• Unauthorized Images: When a seller on the platform uses your original image photos on their own listings without authorization.

• Counterfeited Products: A competitor has reproduced your products, such as branded merchandise, apparel designs, and electronics, in violation of your copyrights.

• Plagiarized Written Content: When a seller uploads your e-books to their listing without your authorization.
  
  
• Duplicated Digital Media: A seller reproducing your videos, music, or software. 

• Unauthorized Brand Content: A seller copies the charts, images, and videos from your A+ content library, regardless of whether they are selling similar products to you or not.

How to Report Copyright Infringement on Amazon

Option A: Amazon’s Report Infringement Form

 The form is available for intellectual property owners and their authorized agents.

Here are the steps to complete it:

1. Access the Report Infringement Form: Go to the Amazon Report Infringement Page.

2. Select Copyright Infringement: Note that the form is designed to report trademark, patent, and copyright claims, and Amazon processes each claim independently. 

3. Fill Out and Submit the Form: Enter your contact details, describe your copyright material, and add the URLs of the infringing listing.
   
   You should also explain why the content or listing infringes your copyright, and attach any supporting documents, such as evidence of your ownership.

Option B: Report a Violation (RAV) Tool

Your brand must be enrolled in the Amazon Brand Registry to access the Report a Violation (RAV) tool.

Steps to using the RAV tool:

1. Head to Brand Registry: Go to the Amazon Brand Registry to access the RAV tool. You should either be the rights owner or the registered agent.
   
   Alternatively, log in to Seller Central, go to Brands, then click Brand Registry.

2. Navigate to the RAV Tool: Search and select the infringing listing you had identified either by brand name, ASIN, product name, storefront name, or seller ID.
   
   The RAV tool allows you to search for up to 50 ASINs, product details URLs, or both. 

3. Select Copyright Infringement: The tool offers three categories of violation: trademark, patent, and copyright. Choose the correct one to avoid rejection.

4. Provide Details of the Copyrighted Work: You should include the registration number of your copyright if it's registered. If not, describe and provide a link to your original copyrighted work. 

5. Upload Supporting Evidence: Upload screenshots of the infringing listing, the order ID from a test buy (if possible), and ownership documentation. Amazon recommends test buys to substantiate your claims.

6. Submit and Track Your Report: Confirm your report and submit. This option lets you track your claim's status from your Brand Registry dashboard. 

Option C: Contact Amazon

You can choose to email Amazon’s legal team directly. 

You have to provide: 

• Your name and contact details.

• A clear and detailed explanation of your copyrighted work.

• URL page and ASIN of the listing infringing on your rights.

• A clear copyright claim under the DMCA.

• Include your eSignature.

Once you submit your report, Amazon reviews it. If your claim is found valid, the listing may be removed or disabled, and Amazon will also notify the accused seller. If the seller believes their listing was removed by mistake, Amazon may offer a counter-notice under the DMCA.

What Happens When You Receive a Copyright Infringement Complaint

An IP infringement notice can be stressful, but it does not always mean the accusation is valid. Amazon’s automated system can flag your account by mistake, and right-holders can submit invalid claims. 

Here is what happens:

1. Receive the Notification: Amazon notifies you via Seller Central or email, detailing the alleged infringement, and provides the rights owner's email address.

2. The Listing is Removed: Upon receiving the complaint notice, Amazon acts in accordance with Section 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and removes the reported listing immediately.

3. The Account Health Rating Score is Affected: Amazon may deduct points from the score due to policy violations, such as infringement.

4. Contact the Right Owner: Reach out to the complainant directly to resolve the issue amicably. 

5. Submit a Plan of Action (POA): If you’re at fault, you can submit an appeal through the Account Health page. You can write a clear POA that acknowledges the violation, explains how you’ll fix the issue, and prevents future violations.

6. You can file a Counter Notice: If you believe you’re not infringing the IP, you can file a DMCA counter notice or submit proof of authorization from the rights owner.

How to File a DMCA Counter Notice on Amazon

If you receive a copyright infringement complaint and believe your listings were removed unfairly, you can dispute the claim by filing a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) counter notice.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Go to Seller Central 

2. Navigate to your Account Health Dashboard

3. Click on Submit a DMCA Counter Notice

4. Fill out the required details:

   • Your name, contact details, and address.

   • URL or ASIN of the removed listing.

   • Statement affirming your listing removal was a mistake.

   • Date and Your eSignature.

5. Provide Supporting Details: Upload proof of ownership, such as original files or an authorization agreement.

6. Await Response: Amazon will forward the notice to the complainant, who has 10-14 days to respond to your counter notice. If they don’t respond, Amazon may reinstate your listing.

7. Follow Up (If Required): If there is no response after the waiting period, contact seller support.

How Copyright Infringement Affects Your Amazon Account Health

A single copyright infringement complaint may not cause major damage to your account’s health, but multiple or repeated complaints can cause severe consequences.

Here are the top 3:

• Faster Account Health Rating (AHR) Decline: Amazon deducts points from your original 200 AHR score each time you infringe on other sellers' rights. You may double the point values for repeat violations, which will bring your AHR score down faster.

• Increased Risk of Deactivation: Your account may be deactivated if you exceed the maximum number of repeat violations. Typically, the allowable limit for infringement policies is 5 in 180 days.

• Reduced Trust in Your Account: Amazon systems evaluate your account health based on your compliance patterns, and repeated violations of infringement-related policies are a risky pattern. This causes the system to flag your account as high-risk, leading to higher scrutiny and less tolerance for future violations.

How to Avoid Copyright Infringement on Amazon

Below are best practices for sellers to avoid potential copyright infringement:

In addition to these tips, you should consider Amazon account management services.

At Seller Candy, we have a dedicated team of Amazon experts to oversee the whole process of navigating IP complaints on Amazon. 

We also keep your Amazon product catalog compliant and revenue-generating so you can focus on growing your business.

Book a free consultation to protect your brand on Amazon against IP violations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are common questions brands and resellers selling products on Amazon ask about copyright infringement on Amazon: