Don’t Let IP Violations Sink Your Amazon Business—Here’s How to Fight Back

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Imagine this: You’ve worked hard to build your brand on Amazon, fine-tuned your listings, and secured a steady stream of sales. Then, out of nowhere—you receive an IP violation notice. Your listing gets taken down, your account health plummets, and suddenly, your business is at risk.


Sound familiar? You’re not alone. With millions of sellers vying for attention, intellectual property (IP) violations—whether from counterfeiters, unauthorized sellers, or mistaken claims—are a constant battle. Left unchecked, they can lead to listing removals, account suspensions, or even legal trouble.


But here’s the good news: You can take control. Understanding how Amazon handles IP violations, knowing how to respond effectively, and taking proactive steps to protect your brand can save you time, money, and stress.

In this guide, we’ll break down the types of IP violations, how to resolve them, and most importantly—how to prevent them from happening in the first place. Let’s dive in!


Understanding Amazon IP Violations

An IP violation occurs when someone unlawfully uses protected intellectual property to sell products on Amazon. Intellectual property rights include trademarks, copyrights, and patents. Amazon categorizes policy violations into different types, which are visible in the Account Health Dashboard. These include:

  • Suspected IP violations
  • Received IP violations
  • Product authenticity complaints
  • Product condition complaints
  • Food and product safety issues
  • Listing policy violations
  • Restricted product policy violations
  • Customer product reviews policy violations


Here’s a closer look at the most common types of IP violations on Amazon:

1. Trademark Infringement

Trademarks protect brand names, logos, and slogans. If another seller uses your registered brand name, logo, or a confusingly similar mark, they are committing trademark infringement. This misleads customers and can dilute your brand’s value.

2. Copyright Infringement

Copyrights cover original content, including product descriptions, images, and branding materials. If another seller copies your copyrighted product listings or marketing content without permission, it constitutes copyright infringement.

3. Patent Infringement

Patents protect unique product designs and inventions. If another seller produces or sells a product that mimics your patented design, it’s a patent violation.

4. Counterfeiting

Counterfeiting is one of the most serious IP violations on Amazon. It involves unauthorized sellers replicating genuine products with the intent to deceive customers. Counterfeit products not only hurt sales but can also damage your brand’s reputation.


Why Are Amazon IP Violations a Serious Concern?

Amazon has strict policies to protect intellectual property rights. If you ignore IP violations, you risk:

  • Loss of sales due to counterfeit or infringing products.
  • Customer confusion, leading to negative reviews and decreased trust.
  • Legal consequences, including lawsuits from rights holders.
  • Amazon account suspension, which can disrupt your business.

Amazon takes action against sellers who accumulate multiple IP violations. Even a single complaint can temporarily suspend an ASIN, and repeated violations could lead to permanent bans.


Steps to Take If You Receive an Amazon IP Violation

If you receive an IP violation on Amazon, follow these steps to address it effectively:

Step 1: Identify and Document the Violation

  • Check your Account Health Dashboard to see the details of the complaint.
  • Take screenshots of the alleged infringing listing.
  • Gather invoices, authorization letters, and any supporting documentation that proves your right to sell the product.

Step 2: Research the Complainant

  • Verify whether the complaint is valid by checking the intellectual property ownership.
  • If the complainant is a competitor making a false claim, document evidence to dispute it.
  • If you receive a buyer message claiming to be from a brand owner, mark it as "No Response Needed" or report it to Amazon.

Step 3: Implement Corrective Measures

  • If the claim is valid, take corrective actions such as removing the infringing content or obtaining the proper rights to sell the product.
  • If necessary, modify your product listings to ensure compliance.

Step 4: Review Amazon’s Policies

  • Familiarize yourself with Amazon’s IP policies to understand how violations are handled.
  • Ensure that your listings comply with all guidelines to prevent future issues.

Step 5: Negotiate with the Complainant

  • If the complainant is a brand owner, reach out professionally to resolve the issue.
  • Offer to make necessary changes to your listing to avoid further conflicts.
  • Sometimes, complainants may agree to withdraw their complaint after discussions.

Step 6: Submit a Plan of Action (POA) to Amazon

  • If your listing or account is suspended, submit a Plan of Action (POA) outlining:
  • The root cause of the violation.
  • The corrective measures you have taken.
  • Your plan to prevent future violations.
  • Ensure your POA is clear, concise, and professional.

Step 7: Seek Expert Assistance

  • If the issue is complex, consult an Amazon IP expert or a legal professional specializing in e-commerce.
  • Experts can help craft compelling appeals and guide you through reinstatement procedures.

Step 8: Monitor Your Account Regularly

  • Keep an eye on your Account Health Dashboard to detect any new violations.
  • Implement proactive measures such as brand protection programs to safeguard against future infringements.


How Long Do IP Complaints Stay on Amazon?

IP complaints can remain on record for six months or longer, depending on the severity. While Amazon does not provide an exact timeframe, unresolved violations can impact your account health indefinitely.

To minimize the impact, focus on resolving complaints swiftly and maintaining compliance.


Preventing IP Complaints on Amazon

Avoiding IP complaints is key to maintaining a healthy Amazon account. Here are some best practices:

1. Conduct Thorough Product Research

  • Before listing a product, verify that it doesn’t infringe on existing trademarks, copyrights, or patents.
  • Use tools like the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) database to check trademark registrations.

2. Source Products from Authorized Suppliers

  • Purchase inventory from reputable suppliers with clear proof of authenticity.
  • Avoid third-party wholesalers that lack verifiable authorization from brand owners.

3. Verify Product Authenticity

  • Request certificates of authenticity, invoices, and licensing agreements from suppliers.
  • Ensure all documentation is legitimate and matches the product details in your listings.

4. Keep Critical Documentation on Hand

  • Letters of Authorization from brand owners can protect you against false IP claims.
  • Invoices serve as proof of purchase and are crucial in dispute resolution.

5. Enroll in Amazon Brand Registry

  • If you own a brand, register it with Amazon Brand Registry to gain additional protections, including:
  • Access to Amazon’s Transparency Program to prevent counterfeiting.
  • The ability to report infringing sellers quickly.
  • Enhanced brand control over listings.

6. Monitor Your Listings Proactively

  • Use brand monitoring tools like Amazon’s IP Accelerator to detect and remove unauthorized listings.
  • Set up alerts for trademark violations and take immediate action against infringers.

7. Educate Your Team on Amazon Policies

  • Ensure that all team members handling listings and inventory understand Amazon’s IP guidelines.
  • Regular training can help prevent unintentional violations.


Final Thoughts

Protecting your Amazon business from IP violations isn’t just about reacting—it’s about staying proactive, informed, and prepared. By following the strategies in this guide—understanding IP policies, responding swiftly to claims, and taking steps to safeguard your brand—you can minimize risks and keep your business running smoothly.

Amazon’s landscape is always evolving, and so are the challenges sellers face. Stay ahead by monitoring your listings, enforcing your brand rights, and staying compliant with Amazon’s policies.

Don’t let IP issues derail your success. Need expert guidance to navigate IP claims and protect your brand? Reach out today or book a Zoom call here to learn how we can help you stay compliant, competitive, and in control. Your success on Amazon starts with the right strategy—let’s build it together with CMO!

Price Wars on Amazon: How to Maintain Brand Value Without Undercutting Yourself

By William Fikhman • June 3, 2025
Amazon’s marketplace is vast, powerful, and fiercely competitive. With millions of sellers and algorithms that heavily favor competitive pricing, it’s easy for brands to feel pressured into lowering prices just to survive. But here’s the harsh truth: engaging in price wars may boost short-term sales—but at the cost of long-term brand value, profitability, and sustainability. As an experienced Amazon agency offering end-to-end brand support, we’ve witnessed how destructive pricing battles can be for brands that once held strong positioning. In this blog, we’ll break down what Amazon price wars are, why they occur, how they hurt your business, and most importantly, how to stay competitive without slashing prices. What Are Amazon Price Wars? A price war occurs when multiple sellers continuously undercut each other’s prices to win the Buy Box or capture more market share. This tactic is especially tempting on Amazon, where winning the Buy Box can mean the difference between success and obscurity. Amazon’s algorithm favors the lowest total price (including shipping), which leads sellers to believe that slashing their prices is the only way to gain visibility. However, while that approach might earn temporary wins, it initiates a race to the bottom where everyone loses: margins evaporate, brand trust erodes, and long-term viability is compromised. How Do Price Wars Start on Amazon? The price war spiral typically follows a predictable pattern: 1. Sellers Chase the Buy Box The Buy Box is Amazon’s holy grail. Sellers know that over 80% of conversions come from this placement. To win it, many sellers lower their prices, often significantly assuming it’s the only metric that matters. 2. Competitors React Once one seller drops their price, others follow suit. This tit-for-tat cycle continues until prices dip below profitability. 3. Profitability Collapses With multiple sellers cutting prices aggressively, margins vanish. Sellers may move high volumes, but each unit sold generates negligible or even negative profit. The worst part? Buyers now expect those lower prices. 4. Reputation Erodes Customers become suspicious when prices drop too low, assuming inferior quality or desperate liquidation. The brand’s perceived value takes a hit, and the long-term damage outweighs any short-term gains. Why Brands Should Avoid Price Wars Before diving into strategies, let’s address why price wars should be avoided at all costs: ✘ Shrinking Profit Margins Lowering prices diminishes profit margins and often doesn’t leave room to reinvest in essential aspects like advertising, logistics, or product development. For brands looking to scale, profit erosion is a death sentence. ✘ Unsellable Inventory Once prices dip too low, inventory loses perceived value. You may be forced to liquidate at or below cost, or worse, sit on unsellable stock. This puts strain on cash flow and disrupts reordering cycles. ✘ Brand Devaluation Your price is a key element of your brand. Slashing it repeatedly teaches customers that your products are only worth buying on discount. Over time, this cheapens brand equity and makes it harder to justify premium pricing—even for new products. ✘ Market Instability Constant price fluctuations cause confusion and instability in the marketplace. Your sales velocity may spike temporarily, but it becomes inconsistent and unpredictable—making it impossible to forecast or scale strategically. The Smart Seller’s Playbook: How to Avoid Price Wars on Amazon Price competitiveness matters—but that doesn’t mean you have to be the cheapest. Let’s explore strategic, proven methods for staying competitive without engaging in destructive price battles. 1. Build a Strong Brand Identity Price becomes irrelevant when customers want your brand. Branding is more than logos and packaging. It’s about storytelling, values, consistency, and customer trust. When your product and brand convey a clear, desirable identity, customers are less likely to shop based on price alone. Tactics: Optimize A+ Content to communicate your brand story and benefits. Use Brand Story modules to highlight your mission and value proposition. Incorporate lifestyle imagery and UGC to build emotional connections. Result: A well-branded product shifts the customer mindset from “What’s the cheapest?” to “This is the one I trust.” 2. Focus on Product Differentiation If your product is a commodity, price will always dominate. But if you differentiate effectively, you reduce the chances of direct comparison. Tactics: Offer unique bundles or variations (exclusive scents, colors, sizes). Highlight proprietary features or ingredients that competitors can’t replicate. Focus on packaging, customer experience, and added value. Example: Instead of selling a “vitamin C serum,” position it as a “clinically proven, dermatologist-formulated brightening treatment” with a proprietary blend not found elsewhere. 3. Control Your Distribution Channels Many brands unknowingly trigger price wars by losing control of their distribution. Unauthorized resellers, wholesalers, or retail arbitrage sellers can undercut prices without regard for your brand's strategy. Tactics: Use Amazon Brand Registry to protect intellectual property. Set clear pricing policies with authorized resellers. Monitor unauthorized listings and issue cease-and-desist notices when necessary. Enforce Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) policies where legally applicable. 4. Invest in Customer Experience A great product alone isn’t enough. Enhancing the entire customer journey increases perceived value, making price a secondary factor. Tactics: Provide exceptional customer service with fast, clear communication. Follow up post-purchase with branded emails or insert cards. Solicit and highlight positive reviews through legitimate request flows. Bonus: Satisfied customers often become repeat buyers—reducing your cost per acquisition and increasing lifetime value. 5. Monitor Pricing Trends, But Don’t React Emotionally Analyzing pricing trends is vital—but knee-jerk reactions to competitors’ discounts are what fuel price wars. Instead, develop a measured pricing policy. Tactics: Use historical data to identify seasonal price dips and plan promotions accordingly. Wait for lower-priced competitors to sell out before adjusting your pricing. Price for profit first, not the Buy Box alone. CMO Insight: “Winning the Buy Box at the cost of margin isn’t winning—it’s bleeding disguised as victory.” 6. Prioritize High-Margin Products in Your Catalog Not all products deserve equal promotional effort. A good strategy involves selecting SKUs with built-in margin flexibility and scalable potential. Tactics: Audit your catalog to identify hero products with the best profit margins. Reduce reliance on ultra-competitive, low-margin SKUs. Launch premium-tier versions of your products for added value. 7. Treat Advertising as a Profit Driver, Not Just a Sales Lever Advertising can offset the need for price cuts by driving visibility and conversions. But it must be approached as part of a larger profit optimization plan.  Tactics: Optimize PPC campaigns with ACOS/ROAS targets that support your margins. Bid strategically on long-tail, high-intent keywords. Use Sponsored Brands and DSP to boost branded traffic. Key Point: The more you lean on branding and ads for visibility, the less you need to manipulate pricing. Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Price Wars Q: Should I always lower prices to win the Buy Box? No. Winning the Buy Box depends on more than just price—shipping speed, seller rating, order defect rate, and other factors matter too. Always consider whether the margin loss is worth the temporary visibility boost. Q: What if a competitor drops their price drastically? Evaluate whether they’re a temporary disruptor (e.g., clearance sale) or a consistent player. Often, it’s better to wait them out. Don’t sacrifice long-term strategy for short-term panic. Q: Can I prevent other sellers from undercutting me? Yes, to an extent. With Brand Registry, you gain control over your listings. Combine that with MAP policies, strict distributor agreements, and proactive monitoring to maintain pricing integrity. Q: Is it better to offer bundles instead of discounting single units? Absolutely. Bundles can increase perceived value and average order value while maintaining healthy margins. Plus, they’re harder to compare directly with competitor listings. Final Thoughts: Brand Value Is Your Most Powerful Weapon In the chaotic arena of Amazon price wars, your brand is your best defense. Yes, pricing matters but it shouldn’t define your entire strategy. The most successful sellers maintain profitability by building brand loyalty, creating differentiated products, and controlling their listings with a long-term vision in mind. If you’re tired of racing to the bottom and want a strategic partner who understands the full Amazon lifecycle—from optimization and ad management to brand protection and catalog growth—our team is here to help. Sustainably scale. Stay profitable. Preserve your brand’s worth. Need help breaking free from the price war trap? Talk to our CMO -led Amazon strategy team and learn how to reclaim control of your margins while building a brand that lasts.
Amazon is a company that sells a variety of products.

How to Find Winning Products to Sell on Amazon: Your Ultimate Guide for Success

By William Fikhman • June 2, 2025
If you're thinking about becoming an Amazon seller or you’ve recently signed up, one of your first and most critical questions is likely: What should I sell? Choosing the right product can determine whether you thrive or flounder in the world’s largest online marketplace. With more than a billion items sold by Amazon selling partners in the U.S. and an average annual sales jumping to over $250,000 per seller, there’s no doubt that selling on Amazon is a lucrative opportunity. But getting a slice of that pie starts with smart product research. In this guide, we’ll explore how to generate product ideas using Amazon’s own tools, show you how to research, validate, and list your products, and give you tips for launching a brand that lasts. Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to expand, this blog will help you tap into Amazon’s vast ecosystem and prepare you to grow like a pro. Step 1: Understand What Makes a Great Amazon Product Not every product thrives on Amazon. The most successful items often share a few key characteristics: High demand, low competition Good profit margins Easy to package and ship Evergreen (sells year-round) Few moving parts or fragile components Before diving into Amazon tools, take stock of what matters most to your business: Do you want to build a brand? Resell trending products? Explore a niche hobby or market? With a clear goal in mind, you're better equipped to sift through opportunities and find your next bestseller. Step 2: 4 Smart Strategies to Spark Product Ideas If you’re stuck or unsure where to begin, start with these proven strategies: Put Your Own Spin on What’s Already Trending Look at popular products in your area of interest and ask: Can I do this better? Identify gaps by reading customer reviews. What do buyers love? What do they complain about? Target underserved audiences or needs. Can you tailor the product for a specific use case? Elevate the experience with better materials, more thoughtful packaging, or added features. Sometimes, success isn’t about reinventing the wheel—it’s about making a better one. Monitor Sales Metrics and Performance Trends Success doesn’t end with choosing the right product. You’ll need to continually track what’s working using Seller Central tools like: Brand Analytics dashboards Sales reports Customer feedback trends Account Health ratings Staying on top of these metrics helps you refine your offers and maximize your return. Get Inspired by Successful Sellers Stories of everyday entrepreneurs like Justin Dyson of Kids N’ Such , who scaled from $30K to $130K monthly sales prove you don’t need a massive budget to break through. Learn from their strategies and look at what kinds of products helped launch their brands. Conduct Deep Product Research The best ideas are backed by data. Go beyond gut feelings by: Browsing Amazon categories and subcategories Talking to potential customers Studying niche trends with eCommerce research tools Narrow your search from broad categories (e.g., Kitchen & Dining) to targeted niches (e.g., reusable meal containers). This makes it easier to identify winning opportunities. Step 3: Use Amazon’s Built-In Tools to Find Top Sellers Amazon offers a suite of free and paid tools that help you dig into sales trends, product demand, and competition. These include: Amazon Best Sellers Lists Updated hourly, these rankings show top-selling items in every category. Use them to: Identify high-performing niches Spot seasonal or trending products Benchmark against your own ideas Best Sellers Rank (BSR) Every product on Amazon has a BSR that reflects how well it sells in its category. Lower BSR = higher sales. Use this to evaluate product demand. Movers & Shakers This list highlights the biggest gainers in sales rank over the last 24 hours. It’s a real-time pulse of what’s hot. Hot New Releases Launching a new product? Use this list to track how similar items are performing—great for competitive research. Most Wished For See what customers want most even if they haven’t purchased it yet. This can be gold for planning inventory or marketing. Amazon Seller Mobile App Scan barcodes or ASINs on the go to check sales rank, pricing, and competition in real time. Product Opportunity Explorer This is Amazon’s ultimate data powerhouse. It offers detailed analytics including: Average units sold Niche saturation Seasonality Customer search volume and behavior Use this tool to validate demand before investing in a product. Step 4: Explore Product Categories with Proven Demand Do you still need inspiration? These are some of the top categories currently trending on Amazon: Beauty & Personal Care Think: hair growth oils, anti-aging creams, moisturizers, acne treatments. Kitchen & Dining Popular products include collapsible microwave covers, stainless steel tumblers, meat thermometers, and toddler sippy cups. Automotive From car cup holders to portable air compressors and interior cleaners, automotive accessories are in demand. Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry Items like shapewear, running shoes, yoga pants, and compression organizers are consistent bestsellers. Electronics USB wall chargers, Apple AirTags, Fire TV sticks, surge protectors, and smart tablets are constantly in demand. Appliances Compact ice makers, mini fridges, and portable washers combine convenience and size—perfect for eCommerce. Trends change rapidly, so always continue testing and researching to stay ahead of the curve. Step 5: Prepare Your Product for Launch A winning product idea isn’t enough. You also need to think about how to sell it. Here are some things to consider: Procurement: Source Your Products Will you resell, manufacture, or private label? Each has pros and cons. Make sure you work with reputable suppliers and validate product quality before scaling. Fulfillment: Choose a Shipping Method Amazon offers several fulfillment options: FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon): Amazon handles storage, shipping, and customer service. FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant): You ship the products yourself. Seller-Fulfilled Prime: Use your own warehouse while offering Prime delivery benefits. You can even mix fulfillment methods based on product type or inventory availability. Listing: Optimize Your Product Page First impressions matter. A great product listing includes: High-quality images and videos Clear, benefit-driven bullet points Keywords that match how customers search Competitive pricing Learn more in Amazon’s Listing Optimization Guide. Branding: Connect with Customers Once you enroll in Brand Registry, you can build a customizable storefront and share your brand story with rich content. This builds trust and drives conversions. Marketing: Promote and Scale Use Amazon Ads, SEO, influencer marketing, and email campaigns to drive awareness. Adjust your marketing tactics as you learn what resonates with customers. Step 6: Find Your Niche with Amazon’s Special Programs Amazon offers niche-specific programs to help you grow faster and more strategically. These include: Brand Registry: Unlocks A+ Content, sponsored brand ads, and brand protection tools. Amazon Handmade: For artisans and makers. Amazon Custom: For sellers offering personalized products. Merch by Amazon: Sell original designs with no upfront costs. Amazon Renewed: For selling refurbished or pre-owned goods. Mix and match these programs based on your goals and inventory.  Key Take-away: Stay Flexible, Stay Curious Ecommerce isn’t static. What’s selling today may fade tomorrow, and new opportunities pop up constantly. Stay agile, revisit your strategies often, and always continue researching. As you grow, lean on Amazon’s tools to make smart, data-backed decisions. From the Best Sellers list to the Product Opportunity Explorer, there’s no shortage of resources to help you launch your next hit. Conclusion: Let Chief Marketplace Officer Help You Scale with Confidence Building a thriving Amazon store takes more than good product ideas. It requires expertise across sourcing, fulfillment, listing optimization, branding, and data analysis. And while Amazon gives you the tools, you still need the right strategy to put them to work. That’s where a Chief Marketplace Officer (CMO) comes in. We bring full-spectrum Amazon brand management to your business, overseeing everything from product launch to advertising strategy to customer retention. With experience in navigating Amazon’s complex algorithms, policies, and trends, CMO is your secret weapon for scaling sustainably. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow faster, we ensure every part of your Amazon operation runs smoothly and profitably. Ready to take your Amazon store to the next level? Hit our inbox and we’ll unlock the full potential of your brand!