Fake or Copy Products of My Brand on Amazon: What Can I Do?

Fake, copy, or real reseller?

This is the first question, and it changes what you do. There are three common cases.

• A fake. Someone copies your product and sells it. It is not made by you.
• A copy of your brand. Someone uses your name, logo, or photos on a different product.
• A real reseller. Someone bought your real product in a normal way and sells it. This is often allowed.

If you report a real product as fake, Amazon may reject the report. It can also hurt your account. So check first.

Step 1: Save proof

Before you report, record what you see. Do this even if you plan to ask for help.

1. Take screenshots of the product page. Show the seller name, price, photos, and title.
2. Copy the page link and the seller's store link.
3. Write the date you found it.
4. Keep your own real photos, packaging, and batch codes.
5. Keep your trademark papers in one place.

Step 2: Buy one unit

A test buy is the strongest proof. Order one unit from the seller. When it arrives, compare it with your real product.

• Is the box the same?
• Are the labels, batch code, and expiry date normal?
• Is the quality the same?
• Is it new and sealed?

Take clear photos of everything. Keep the shipping label too. It may show where the product came from.

Step 3: Report it to Amazon

If your brand is in Amazon Brand Registry, you can use the Report a Violation tool. It is made for brand owners to report fake products and misuse of a brand.

In your report, include:

• The product page link and the seller name
• Your trademark number
• A short, calm note that says what is wrong
• Your screenshots and test buy photos

Keep the note short and factual. Say what you found and what you want. Amazon reviews each case and makes the final choice. The time it takes can change from case to case.

If you do not have Brand Registry yet, read our guide on how to get Amazon Brand Registry in the US and Canada. It is the base for most brand protection tools.

Extra tools that may help

Amazon offers other programs for brands. The rules and costs can change, so read Amazon's current pages before you plan around them.

• Transparency. Your brand puts a unique code on each unit. Amazon can scan codes and check that a unit is real. It needs work on your packaging, so plan ahead.
• Project Zero. It gives enrolled brands more power to remove fake listings. Amazon sets the rules for who can join and checks that your past reports were accurate.

When to ask for help

Talk to a lawyer if:

• The fake product could hurt people, such as food, health, or baby products.
• The same seller keeps coming back with new accounts.
• Amazon keeps rejecting good reports.
• You are not sure who owns the rights to your brand.

This article is general information, not legal advice.

A simple example

Imagine a brand that sells wooden toys. The owner sees a new seller with a price much lower than normal. The photos look like the brand's photos, but the toy looks different.

The owner takes screenshots, buys one toy, and sees that the paint and the box are different from the real product. The owner reports it with photos and the trademark number. Then the owner checks the page again after a few days and writes down what happens.

This example is made up to show the steps. Real cases are different, and Amazon makes the final call.

What you can do to make it harder

• Join Brand Registry as early as you can.
• Check your product pages every week.
• Know which stores and sellers have your real stock. See who the unknown sellers on your listing are.
• Keep a master copy of your photos, text, and packaging.
• Use a clear product page. A page that looks well made is easier to prove is yours.

Your options for help

You can do all of this yourself. It takes time and regular checks. A partner that sells your products can also watch your page and catch problems early. AceeNova is a Calgary-based Amazon partner. We buy brand products, improve listings, and pay for ads, at no fee to the brand. That is not the right fit for every brand, and we are not a law firm. If you want to compare paths, see Sell on Amazon Yourself, Hire an Agency, or Sell to a Reseller?

Quick checklist

• Is it a fake, a copy, or a real reseller?
• Save screenshots, links, and dates.
• Buy one unit and take photos.
• Report it with Brand Registry tools.
• Check again and keep notes.
• Ask a lawyer for serious cases.

If you want to talk through a fake product on your own listing, we are happy to listen. Book a free call