Trademark complaint or copyright (DMCA)?
| Use a… | When the copier uses… | You need |
|---|---|---|
| Trademark complaint | Your brand name or logo, or sells fakes under your brand | A registration (some platforms accept pending) in that country |
| Copyright / DMCA notice | Your photos, product descriptions, designs, artwork | Proof you created it first; registration not needed to send a notice |
| Design / patent claim | The shape of your product with a different brand | A design or patent right — copyright and trademark won’t help |
Where to report
- Amazon — Report Infringement form, or Report a Violation inside Brand Registry.
- eBay — VeRO programme.
- Etsy — IP infringement report form.
- Alibaba, AliExpress, Taobao — Alibaba IPP platform.
- TikTok Shop and Shopify — their own IP report forms.
- Walmart — IP claim form.
Each platform wants the exact listing URLs, your right (registration number or the original work) and a sworn statement.
Collect evidence first
- Screenshots with dates, listing URLs and seller names.
- A test purchase for suspected counterfeits.
- Your registration certificates and the original files of copied photos or designs.
When to bring in a firm
Many sellers relist under new accounts. A firm can file in bulk, handle counter-notices, send cease-and-desist letters, record your mark with customs, and file in the countries the copies come from — often China and India.
A typical request on TrademarksHub
Example
“A US jewellery designer finds copies of their pieces and product photos on Etsy, AliExpress and Amazon. They need takedowns on all three plus advice on design protection.”
Illustrative example. On TrademarksHub requests are shown as “Private brand owner”, and only firms that cover the chosen countries can reply.Questions
Do I need a registered trademark to remove a listing?
For a trademark complaint, usually yes (some platforms accept pending applications). For copied photos or text you can send a copyright (DMCA) notice without registration.
What if the seller files a counter-notice?
Under the DMCA the listing can come back unless you start court action within the stated period. A firm can advise whether to escalate.
Can I stop copies coming from China?
Register your mark in China — China is first-to-file — and use the Alibaba IPP platform. Customs recordals help stop shipments.