The compliance-driven ecosystem of Amazon presents both opportunities and challenges for third-party sellers. While intellectual property infringement has long been a persistent threat, a new form of copyright complaint has emerged, catching many merchants off guard. This novel tactic exploits inconsistencies in Amazon's cross-marketplace management systems to launch malicious attacks.
Several sellers recently reported having product listings removed from Amazon's U.S. marketplace due to copyright infringement claims originating from Turkey—a marketplace where the affected sellers had no active presence. Adding to the confusion, the U.S. seller portal showed no infringement alerts in account health metrics and provided no standard appeal options. The takedown notices referenced account performance issues but directed sellers to resolution portals on the Turkish site, creating unprecedented procedural complications.
This emerging threat represents an exploitation of Amazon's fragmented global marketplace structure. Bad actors are weaponizing jurisdictional gaps to file cross-regional infringement claims. Most sellers focus exclusively on their primary markets, leaving them vulnerable to unfamiliar policies and processes in secondary regions. The relocation of appeal mechanisms to inactive marketplaces further obstructs sellers' ability to file DMCA counter-notices.
Strategic Responses for Affected Sellers
Proactive engagement remains critical when facing such complaints. Despite the absence of direct appeal options in their primary marketplace, sellers should:
- Contact Amazon seller support with detailed explanations and documentary evidence proving product authenticity
- Attempt appeals through the originating marketplace (in this case, Turkey), despite language and procedural barriers
- Document all communications for potential escalation to Amazon's executive team if standard channels prove ineffective
Preventive Measures for Long-Term Protection
To mitigate future risks, sellers should implement these foundational safeguards:
- Trademark registration and brand registry: Securing intellectual property rights in target markets and enrolling in Amazon's Brand Registry creates legal barriers against fraudulent claims.
- Transparency Program enrollment: Amazon's Transparency initiative uses unique product codes to authenticate merchandise, deterring counterfeiters and reducing infringement risks.
- Cross-marketplace monitoring: Regular audits of all regional listings—including inactive marketplaces—can identify suspicious activity early. Third-party monitoring tools provide automated surveillance across Amazon's global platforms.
As Amazon's compliance requirements evolve, sellers must remain vigilant against emerging threats. This new form of cross-border complaint underscores the need for comprehensive brand protection strategies that transcend individual marketplaces. While sellers adapt their defensive measures, Amazon faces mounting pressure to harmonize its global enforcement protocols and close jurisdictional loopholes that enable such exploits.