Amazon Report Infringement: How to File and Protect Your Brand

Violations of intellectual property (IP), such as listing counterfeits under your ASINs or someone copying your product descriptions or images, are common on Amazon. 

In fact, Amazon has blocked over 99% of suspected infringing listings and pursued more than 24,000 bad actors since 2020. 

As a seller, you need to know how to file an Amazon report of infringement to protect your account. 

This guide also highlights the importance of reporting IP infringement on Amazon and what to do if you receive an infringement complaint. It also explores tips to protect your brand from IP complaints.

TL;DR - How to Report Infringement on Amazon

To report intellectual property violations, follow these 4 steps:

1. Confirm ownership of the infringed trademark, patent, and copyrighted material.

2. Document infringement evidence.

3. Submit your complaint.

4. Monitor and follow up.

Note that each type of infringement follows a different reporting process, as we will explore later in the blog. 

Why Reporting IP Infringement on Amazon Is Important 

Reporting infringements safeguards your company and ensures compliance with Amazon’s Intellectual Property (IP) Policy for right owners. 

Here are the 4 reasons reporting infringement matters:

• Protects Your Brand Identity: When other sellers use your brand images, name, or designs on their listings, it can damage your reputation, especially if their products are low-quality or counterfeit. Reporting the intellectual property violations allows Amazon to remove the infringing listings, helping safeguard your brand value.

• Prevents Revenue Loss: Competitors may copy your product details on their listings to redirect your customers to unauthorized alternatives, resulting in lost sales for you. Reporting the violation allows Amazon to remove the infringing listings, giving you back control over your sales. 

• Enhances Buyer Trust: Whenever you report a valid IP violation, Amazon removes the listing, ensuring customers have access to authentic, accurate listings. The more consistent your listings are across description and quality, the more likely your buyers will trust you. 

• Prevents Product Misinterpretation: When unauthorized sellers use your trademark or your product's details on their listings, buyers are likely to believe they are buying from you. Reporting the violation helps remove misleading product listings, ensuring buyers don’t mistake your products for others.

Amazon Report Infringement Process by Violation Type 

Whether trademark, patent, or copyright, you need to know how to navigate intellectual property (IP) infringement on Amazon. 

Below, we explore the step-by-step process to handle each type of IP infringement on Amazon:

How to Report Trademark Infringement on Amazon

 Trademark infringement occurs when another seller uses your registered brand name, logo, or mark on their product listing.

Here are the 4 steps to follow to report your trademark infringement:

1. Confirm You Hold the Trademark

Amazon requires you to have a valid trademark certificate or application to prove you're the rightful owner of the trademark.

Your brand must be registered with an official government body, for instance, the USPTO in the US or the EUIPO in Europe.

2. Document Infringement Evidence

Take screenshots of the infringing listing, including ASIN and the URL. Ensure the product details are clear. 

You may also purchase the product that infringes your trademark, keep the receipts, and take a screenshot of the package. Check reviews and collect any negative customer feedback (if any) to demonstrate the damage caused to your brand.

3. Submit Your Claim

Go to Brand Registry to access the Report a Violation (RAV) tool, or submit your complaint using the report infringement form. 

Select the trademark infringement option and describe how the listing infringes your trademark. You should also provide your trademark registration details and your proof.

4. Monitor and Follow Up

Amazon will review your complaint and take appropriate action, which may include removing the infringing listing.

On the other hand, Amazon may also dismiss your complaint or request that you provide additional information to support your claim.

You can track the progress of your claim directly from the RAV tool or via email if using the public submission form. 

How to Report Copyright Infringement on Amazon

Copyright infringements on Amazon occur when brands or resellers copy your product photos, A+ Content, or packaging content. 

Here are the 4 steps to notify Amazon that your copyright is being infringed:

1. Confirm Ownership of Copyrighted Material

Unlike trademarks and patents, you don’t need an official copyright registration number. You must, however, provide proof of ownership of the copyrighted material. 

Gather clear documentation showing your original images or text, product packaging design, or a video file.

2. Document Infringement Evidence

Gather clear evidence of the product listing that is infringing your IP rights. It can include screenshots showing the ASIN or the product detail page URL.

3. Submit Your Claim

Use the Brand Registry or the report infringement form and select the copyright option.

Alternatively, navigate to the account health page and submit a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) counter notice. 

Provide information about your brand and proof of your original work. Next, explain how the listing violates your copyright, including a clear screenshot of its ASIN and URL. 

4. Monitor and Follow Up

You will receive confirmation that your claim is under review. If your claim is valid, Amazon will remove the listing and notify the infringing seller. 

In the event of a DMCA counter-notice, Amazon will restore your disabled listing only if the counter-notice is valid and the complainant fails to respond within 10-14 days of receiving your notice.

How to Report Patent Infringement on Amazon

Patent (utility or design) infringement occurs when a seller uses or sells patented products without the authorization of the patent holder. 

To file your patent infringement, follow these 4 steps:

1. Confirm Ownership of the Infringed Patent 

You should have a valid, active patent registration certificate that covers the claimed infringement.

2. Document Infringement Evidence

Gather substantial evidence to support your claim, such as screenshots of the infringing listing, capturing the product details, and URL links. 

Similar to trademark infringement, you can purchase the infringing product directly from the seller to present as proof. 

3. Submit Your Complaint

You can file your claim through the Report a Violation tool on the brand registry, which gives you access to systems such as Amazon Patent Evaluation Express (APEX). APEX is available exclusively to US utility patent owners and their registered agents.

If you’re not enrolled in Brand Registry, are outside the US, or want to report a design patent, your only option is Amazon’s Report Infringement Form. 

4. Monitor and Follow Up on Your Report

If the claim is valid, Amazon will reach out to the accused sellers and remove the listings.

Otherwise, Amazon will dismiss the claim or require you to provide more information. Also, the seller who is infringing the patent may reach out to ask you to retract the claim or negotiate a resolution.

Have you received an infringement notice? Having a partner like Seller Candy in your corner helps you resolve patent and other infringement issues quickly when they arise.

We are a team of Amazon experts who help you navigate IP complaints on Amazon by guiding you in submitting clear documents and writing a Plan of Action. 

We also conduct a comprehensive audit of your account to identify all issues that impact performance, including IP infringement. We’ll manage the communication with Amazon to resolve the complaints efficiently.

Book a free consultation to maximize your success on Amazon.

What Happens When an Infringement Report Is Filed Against You?

If an IP complaint is filed against you, Amazon will send a performance notification to your Seller Central account, including the type of infringement reported, the ASIN of the reported listing, and the complainant’s details.

If the claim is valid, Amazon may remove the reported listing while it reviews your account.

You can respond to an IP infringement notice in three ways:

1. Reach Out to the Rights Owner: Contact the complainant and request that they withdraw the complaint. If you’re legally allowed to sell the product or use the supplier's product images or description, provide a copy of the Letter of Authorization or Licensing Agreement to both Amazon and the complainant.

2. File a Counter Notice: If you believe your listing does not infringe the complainant's IP rights, file a counter notice. You should explain in detail why the filed report is invalid and provide evidence demonstrating your right to sell the product. For example, invoices from authorized suppliers, your trademark certificates, or a license. 

3. Acknowledge the Violation: If the reported IP complaint is accurate, admit your fault and take necessary actions to correct it. Submit a detailed Plan of Action through the Account Health Dashboard explaining the root cause of the reported violation, steps you’ll take to remove the infringing listing, and measures you’ll take to prevent it from happening in the future.

How to Prevent IP Complaints on Amazon

If you are a reseller taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of infringing on other sellers, here are the best practices to take on Amazon IP complaints:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s look at some of the most asked questions about IP infringement: