These aren’t the only situations where you can end up with an IP violation notice. AI bots can flag up a listing because you mentioned a brand that isn’t yours or isn’t approved. Whether it was placed in the title, brand field, keywords, SKUs, or description, it goes against Brand Policy. 

But you can still break the rules, even if it’s your own brand. Adding product identifiers (brands, titles, ASINs, etc.) to hidden keyword attributes is not allowed. It’s classed as ‘misuse of search and browse’. You must also use the same brand name that appears on your item or its packaging.

We talked about IP infringement before on our blog. Our advice is to read our post titled How to Handle IP infringement Issues. There we explain the difference between trademark, patent, and copyright. After you go over some of this material, make sure you understand that you must: 

Sell authentic items only.List only items that don’t violate the IP policy.Never use the Amazon badge if it goes against Trademark Usage Guidelines.

If you’re served with an IP violation notice, not knowing the rules is no excuse. You need ironclad arguments. And you usually also need the Rights Owner’s approval. There are several steps you can take to address an IP violation:

Check your inventory and your listings to make sure this is the only incident.If you have IP rights, prove to Amazon that the claim is baseless. If you don’t, pester the Notice Dispute team for their contact details, as explained here.  Persuade the Right Owners to retract the complaint using the Notice Retraction Form.Contact the authorized distributor and ask them to vouch for you. Check that your supplier’s license to sell hasn’t expired.  Provide an authorization letter from your supplier. If you believe the claimant is lying, file a counter-notice.Check that the claim isn’t more than 6 months old, in which case you can ask Amazon to remove it hassle-free. 

2. Amazon Authenticity Violations

Amazon’s bots can pick up certain words. It can be from buyer messages, feedback, listing descriptions, or keywords. If these words point to a violation of anti-counterfeiting policy, they’ll flag up your account. 

It’s also not unheard of for competitors or buyers to make false claims. If you don’t suspect foul play, give your inventory a once-over and write to Amazon. You may not need to send a POA. But you’ll most likely be expected to do the following:

Provide itemized invoices with the right letterhead, contact details, and date range.Prove that your supplier is authorized to sell.Contact the authorized distributor and ask them to vouch for you. 

  3. Condition Complaint

Amazon flags up this kind of violation because there’s a valid complaint about an item’s condition. It’s usually because it was used, but sold as ‘New’. Even if new, it can lead to a negative experience due to damage, product faults, missing parts, or disappointing presentation. 

These claims fall into the safety category. They’re linked with counterfeit claims, so you risk losing your selling privileges over them. In extreme cases, if your supplier is on a supplier blacklist, you might even be expected to break up your collaboration.  

Here’s what Amazon might expect you to do so you can prove that your listings should stand:

Check Condition Guidelines for your product category. Check your self-fulfilled inventory.Request a bin check from FBA.Look at feedback, reviews, and VOC records for this item. Rethink the way you store and handle items (e.g., polybagging or shrink wrapping).Set up new packing procedures or a quality control department. 

4. Amazon Listing Policy Violation 

A listing policy violation happens when a listing’s attribute is tampered with by a seller. This can be due to a genuine mistake. But it can also be because of a hijacking attempt. Bear in mind that some products can’t be listed on Amazon unless they meet certain conditions:

Cameras can only be sold in their original packaging or, if the title mentions it, plain boxes.Computers without their original packaging can’t be sold as anything other than ‘Acceptable’.Software can only be sold if it’s the full retail version (not promotional or Beta version).Textbooks can’t be sold if the ISBN or jacket type (e.g. paperback) doesn’t match.

Some can’t be listed at all. This includes: 

Promotional samples, bundles, and advance copies.Expired or soon-to-expire products.Items deemed unsellable.Items earmarked for disposal by the supplier or manufacturer.Items with stains, corrosion, mold, or missing parts.

If your listing is suspended for breaking these rules, you’ll probably go through the appeals process. You’ll be asked to submit a plan of action (POA). It should cover 3 essential aspects: root causes, corrective action, and preventive measures. 

Depending on the issues raised in the notice, you have a variety of ways to tackle this type of violation. Assuming your listing wasn’t hijacked, here’s how you could go about this:

Show that the product matches its listing (UPC code, brand, images, and description).Show that you’ve never sold or had an active listing for the item.Send before & after photos, supplier invoices, inventory photos, and any proof that the item was shipped ‘New’. Provide proof that your listing isn’t a duplicate. State your product’s USP and special features.If you’re selling multipacks, show Amazon what’s in them and what individual items are priced at.If you’re selling bundles, send Amazon the ASINs and details of all the items included. For variations, show that your descriptions are accurate, consistent, and priced fairly. Share the identity of your authorized distributor with the Seller Support Team. Contact the authorized distributor and ask them to vouch for you. Share their letter of authorization or other legal documents. 

5. Amazon Product Safety Violation

Amazon has a Product Safety Team. It’s tasked with handling safety complaints and incidents. Because safety standards change all the time, this team might have new requirements from one day to the next. 

Food and product safety violation notices can come in waves. Our readers might remember the toy purge of 2021. But they are commonplace with FBA products. These items are subject to very strict expiry rules, as well as storing, prepping, and labeling requirements. 

If this happens to you, you’ll be asked to submit an Amazon policy violation appeal letter. And you won’t be able to submit if you’re missing any documents. Here’s what Amazon might expect to see from you when you appeal a safety violation suspension:

Dispose of the items.Move them to more lenient countries and markets. Change storage conditions.Add warning labels.Provide setup instructions.Carry out periodic testing with a certified laboratory.Get ISO accreditation (e.g., ISO17025 for electronic devices).Obtain and keep (M)SDS documents. Get liability insurance.

6. Amazon Restricted Products Policy Violation

Any item listed on Amazon must comply with Amazon’s rules, as well as the law. Listing and selling restricted products like prescription drugs is strictly prohibited. Expired products, testers, offensive items and those that are not age appropriate are off limits too. 

To sell products like these, you need to make a selling application. You may need to be registered with a local authority. For instance, to be sold in the USA, pesticide products must come with an EPA registration number. You may need to redesign your product’s label too.