As an Amazon seller, encountering a copyright complaint can be stressful and concerning. A copyright complaint can lead to your Amazon account suspension or the removal of your listing. However, it’s essential to address the issue promptly and take the necessary steps to resolve the complaint.
This post was prepared by Seller Assistant’s partner - e-com law firm Solver. For more than 4 years, Solver has been a leading law firm working with Amazon, Etsy, Payoneer, PayPal, and Wise accounts and listing suspensions. They’ve successfully resolved over 2,000 cases and saved around 4 million US dollars for their clients.
Step 1: Review the Copyright Complaint
Upon receiving a copyright complaint, carefully review the details provided by Amazon. Understand the nature of the complaint, including the copyrighted material in question and the specific product listing(s) affected. This information is crucial for formulating an appropriate response.
Tip: To prevent copyright complaints, take advantage of the free IP Alert feature of Seller Assistant. This application offers automated alerts for potential policy violations, account health concerns, and intellectual property infringements.
The IP Alert feature shows a Red Triangle icon if there have been past issues with the product.
Seller Assistant’s IP Alert
Related: Seller Assistant Extension Review
Seller Assistant — the Ultimate Tool for Amazon Online Arbitrage
Step 2: Verify the Validity of the Copyright Complaint
Before proceeding, ensure that the copyright claim is valid and that your product listing does not infringe on any copyrighted material. Gather evidence to support your position if you believe the claim is baseless. This could include proof of product originality, invoices, licensing agreements, image sources displaying metadata, and creation date.
Step 3: Prepare a Counter-Notice
If you are confident that the copyright claim is invalid, prepare a Counter-Notice. The letter should include the following elements.
- Your identification information, including name, address, phone number, and email.
- Identification of the specific copyright complaint reference number provided by Amazon.
- A statement asserting your good faith belief that the complaint was made in error or without proper grounds.
- An explanation of the reasons why the claim is incorrect or invalid, supported by evidence where possible.
- A statement that you consent to the jurisdiction of the court where the original complaint was filed, if the copyright owner chooses to pursue legal action.
- Your electronic or physical signature.
Note: We cannot stress it enough how important that the counter-notice is properly structured according to DMCA’s requirements, because if not, Amazon will decline it. Solver prepared a counter-notice sample that includes everything Amazon wants to see, proven by years of fighting copyright complaints.
https://www.solver-consulting.com/
Usually, a Counter-Notice would have to be sent to a separate team for review. Now you will receive an automatic form for submitting a Counter-Notice in your account. Please note that this form should also be filled out carefully. Please complete the form to be accepted and continue your appeal process. Incorrect completion may result in the form being rejected and delaying your appeal process.
Step 4: Monitor and Respond to Amazon’s Communication
After submitting the Counter-Notice, closely monitor your email and Seller Central account for updates from Amazon. Amazon will forward your Counter-Notice to the original complainant, who has a limited period (typically 10-14 business days) to respond. Be prepared to provide further information or clarification if requested by Amazon during this process.
Final Thoughts
Facing a copyright complaint on Amazon can be challenging, but by taking proactive and diligent steps, you can work towards satisfactorily resolving the issue. Always verify the validity of the complaint and respond promptly with a well-crafted Counter-Notice. Keep communication lines open with Amazon and remain patient during the resolution process.
Conversely, it’s wise to steer clear of products that could potentially lead to receiving a copyright complaint. The Seller Assistant app’s IP Alert will warn you about such products and brands.
