Intellectual Property Insights from Fishman Stewart
Mini Article – Volume 22, Issue 12
Share on Social
The Results are in on Amazon’s Ambitious Brand Enforcement Technology
Your brand is everything: an identity, a reputation, and a revenue-generating asset. One of the greatest threats to brands comes in the form of counterfeit products. Amazon is one of the largest sellers of fake goods—second only to eBay. In response to widespread criticism regarding the proliferation of fake goods sold via its online marketplaces, Amazon developed initiatives that brand owners can utilize to better protect their brands and that cut down on the sale of counterfeit products. These initiatives include Amazon’s Brand Registry, IP Accelerator, Project Zero, Transparency, and Patent Evaluation Express.
Recently, Amazon published its second annual Brand Protection Report, compiling the results of the various initiatives that were implemented to reduce intellectual property abuse across its site. According to the report, in 2021, Amazon invested more than $900 million and employed more than 12,000 people including machine learning scientists, software developers, and expert investigators who were dedicated to protecting customers, brands, selling partners, and the Amazon storefronts from counterfeit, fraud, and other forms of abuse.
Further, Amazon reported that over 3 million counterfeit products were seized in 2021. The counterfeit products included goods distributed into Amazon’s fulfilment network and those detained via warehouse and facility raids in collaboration with brand owners and law enforcement. Additionally, Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit increased the number of criminal proceedings that it initiated by 300%, suing or referring more than 600 criminals for investigation by authorities in the United States, China, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
Enrollment in Amazon’s Brand Registry and Project Zero also increased. For instance, the total number of brands enrolled in Brand Registry increased 40% with the number of enrolled brands growing from over 500,000 to over 700,000, and the total number of brands enrolled in Project Zero increased 11% with the number of enrolled brands exceeding 20,000.
It is a positive sign that the initiatives implemented by Amazon to reduce the sale of counterfeit products appear to be making an impact. However, counterfeiting is far too profitable a venture to disappear altogether, and in a global economy where more and more transactions occur via online marketplaces, brand owners must be vigilant to protect their brands. So, for companies that are looking to sell their goods on Amazon, these initiatives are a cost-effective and expedient way to reduce damages that may come from sales of counterfeit goods.
For more information on how to fight counterfeiters on Amazon, see our white paper on the subject.
Published June 17, 2022
Related Content from Fishman Stewart
Why is IP Protection Crucial for Small Businesses? We understand the challenges faced by small businesses, and we encourage you to take proactive measures to protect your intellectual property.
Queen of Christmas Sued for Copyright Infringement – Again
FishBits: Mini Article Volume 23, Issue 21
Earlier this month, Mariah Carey was named in a lawsuit in federal district court for copyright infringement. The plaintiffs, musicians Andy Stone (stage name “Vince Vance”) and Troy Powers, allege that the so-called “Queen of Christmas” used their country music song “All I want for Christmas is You” as the basis for her hit pop song with the same title.
The art of tattooing can be traced back to ancient times. In fact, archaeologists have uncovered tattoo tools that date back at least 12,000 years. However, lawsuits over tattoos and copyright law are a much, much more recent phenomenon.
Happy Friday the 13th! In this appropriately timed article, we update you on the latest in the legal battle over the copyrights to the classic horror film Friday the 13th.
September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. In terms of intellectual property, “pirating” refers to the unauthorized copying, distribution, or use of someone else's creative work without their permission, and often for personal or financial gain.
National Red Wine Day is observed each year on August 28th. This year, to celebrate, we are sharing a fun story about wine, trademarks, and legal battle over the rights to use a family name on wine labels.
Have you ever wondered what was the very first work to receive a copyright registration in the United States?
The words “generative artificial intelligence” or “generative AI” have been crowding headlines for months with stories about the potential benefits and perils to humans. This article breaks down the top questions and answers we encounter regarding AI and intellectual property.
How many ways are there to tape a banana to a wall? Yes, this is a serious legal question. In fact, this was the question presented in a recent copyright infringement lawsuit in Florida.
Under US copyright law, to receive protection, a work must be “fixed” which means that a work must be expressed or embodied in a material medium that lasts for more than a transitory period.
IDENTIFYING, SECURING AND ADVANCING CREATIVITY®
