Numerous Amazon sellers have recently reported having their product listings removed for using what appears to be an innocuous word: "one." This development has sparked widespread concern and discussion within the cross-border e-commerce community.
The "One" Takedown Wave: What Happened?
Multiple sellers have confirmed that this issue has affected a significant number of listings, with some merchants reporting more than 10 listings taken down, and the numbers continue to grow. In notifications sent to affected sellers, Amazon stated the removals were due to potential trademark infringement, specifically citing that "the brand name does not match the owner of the trademarked word, which may cause confusion about the product's origin, endorsement, or affiliation."
The word "one" is nearly unavoidable in standard English product descriptions. Common phrases like "one of xxxx" or "from one side to another" have suddenly become problematic. The widespread nature of these expressions has led to many sellers unknowingly violating Amazon's intellectual property policies.
The issue has impacted sellers across multiple Amazon marketplaces, including the United States, Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The Growing Threat of Common Word Trademarks
This incident is not isolated. It highlights an increasingly serious problem in e-commerce: common words being trademarked and used to challenge sellers. Previous cases have involved words like "generic," "100%," "HULA HOOP," "happy birthday," "Tetris," and "Polo."
The trademarking of common vocabulary essentially privatizes public language resources, restricting normal business communication. While trademark laws aim to protect brand rights, excessive application to generic terms may harm fair competition and market innovation.
Protection Strategies for Sellers
Amazon sellers should implement proactive measures to mitigate these risks:
- Comprehensive Listing Review: Immediately audit all product listings, paying special attention to titles, descriptions, and keywords. Replace problematic words with alternatives (e.g., using "1" instead of "one").
- Trademark Research: Regularly check trademark databases for registered common words in relevant categories. Consider using trademark monitoring tools for early warnings.
- Brand Registration: Registering your own brand provides fundamental protection against trademark disputes while enhancing brand value.
- Appeals Process: If listings are incorrectly removed, promptly appeal to Amazon with supporting evidence demonstrating non-infringement.
- Creative Copywriting: Develop distinctive product descriptions that avoid trademarked terms while effectively highlighting product features and benefits.
Platform Responsibilities and Industry Concerns
As the marketplace operator, Amazon must balance intellectual property protection with seller rights. The platform could improve by:
- Enhancing trademark review processes to prevent abusive registrations of common words
- Providing better intellectual property education for sellers
Industry groups should advocate for clearer trademark regulations to prevent language resource monopolization while offering legal support to affected sellers.
Successful Appeal Case
One Canadian seller successfully restored listings after modifying content containing "one," suggesting Amazon's primary concern is preventing brand confusion rather than banning the word entirely.
This incident serves as another reminder of the importance of compliance in global e-commerce. As intellectual property protections strengthen worldwide, sellers must remain vigilant about potential risks while maintaining competitive, lawful business practices.