Need Help with Trademark Issue _ Misinterpretation of Word "Apple"
Hello Amazon Community,
I am reaching out for assistance with a peculiar trademark issue that we are currently facing. We sell a product titled "Apple Charms Necklace," where the word "apple" is used to describe the fruit-themed design of the necklace, not in reference to the Apple brand.
However, it appears that Amazon's system has recognized the word "Apple" in our product title as a potential trademark infringement. We understand the importance of respecting trademarks, but in this context, "apple" is merely describing the fruit-shaped pendant on our necklace.
We have tried to resolve this issue but have not been successful so far. We would greatly appreciate any advice or steps we could take to clarify this misunderstanding and remove the trademark issue.
Thank you in advance for your help and understanding.
Best Regards,
LUSSO
Here is the link to our product: APPLE NẸCKLACE
Need Help with Trademark Issue _ Misinterpretation of Word "Apple"
Hello Amazon Community,
I am reaching out for assistance with a peculiar trademark issue that we are currently facing. We sell a product titled "Apple Charms Necklace," where the word "apple" is used to describe the fruit-themed design of the necklace, not in reference to the Apple brand.
However, it appears that Amazon's system has recognized the word "Apple" in our product title as a potential trademark infringement. We understand the importance of respecting trademarks, but in this context, "apple" is merely describing the fruit-shaped pendant on our necklace.
We have tried to resolve this issue but have not been successful so far. We would greatly appreciate any advice or steps we could take to clarify this misunderstanding and remove the trademark issue.
Thank you in advance for your help and understanding.
Best Regards,
LUSSO
Here is the link to our product: APPLE NẸCKLACE
21 respuestas
Seller_ENsSOj1LYRAt8
@Emet_Amazon@LeviDylan_Amazon
Seller_rI7BZIczK8iAC
Did you create a case under "Help" and describe your issue? If no, do it. If yes, REOPEN that case and ask to "escalate to the catalog team".
Seller_CrESGzWtGTeUt
I had the same issue using an apparent trademark word in the product description. If you remove the word from the description, and contact Amazon they will remove the violation from your account within 24 hours or less. From my experience, no matter what you say or do, is going to change much. You may also try to use "an apple-shaped necklace" which at times is read different by their bots.
Looking at your listing, I suggest you remove the word and save time... :-)
Seller_qMgi7qxvEo7f1
Tell me about it, I got the same issue.
Got a Trademark violation because of the word "OPERATION". Because they say "OPERATION" is a brand. It wasn't a brand in my case, it was a product name, for a Military Veteran Patch (Operation Desert Storm). Yet, they told me I violated Trademark because of a brand. Too me half a day to even reach a person who understand the issue. Got through 5 messages, then 1 seller services person, who drove me to a Seller Service specialist, who told me he solved the issue, and it'll be fine in 24 hours.
But again, to reach this point I wasted 12 hours of my life. Totally nonsense, also, Operation is literally just a word. Can I make the letter "A" a trademark? I mean this is totally ridiculous... Even worse, Amazon just won't even let you change your own listings, so you have to jump a 1000 hoops just to get something changed. YET hijackers can change anything, anytime on your listings/product pages. How is that even work?
Seller_p8DgF7zAESNUZ
New Title:
925 Sterling Silver Necklace, 14K Yellow Gold Colorful Pendant Necklace For Women Girls Kids, Rainbow Flower Strawberry Storm Cloud Apple-Shaped Jewelry Charms Choker BFF Gifts
I checked AMazon and there is lots of Apple shaped necklaces etc so it "shouldn't" be an issue. If nothing else, drop the word "apple" from your description and put it in lower case with in the bullet points and description as well be sure to include it in your keywords.
Good Luck!
Seller_zFh2yK8Fq5oqa
If there are multiple maybe try making it plural? Charm necklace with apples.
Seller_mlV9hk5A1YthG
In my experience, it is utterly useless and hopeless to do anything other than remove the "infringing" word.
Their IP detection software does not grok context. Not at all. Not ever. If the word exists in a listing, it will be seen as infringement. The humans I typed at over the course of several days might as well have been bots themselves. If they comprehended what I was saying, they gave no sign--but simply gave the standard canned replies.
I was trying to point out to them that the IP detection system was broken due to its lack of context. Words they could not even hear, it appears. But the machine grinds on, oblivious. Eventually, we won't be able to type any text into a listing.
In my case, the offending text was "Lg" which I used in a Size field of a product Variation to indicate size Large. This I have done for years. But suddenly it was being flagged while I was trying to create a new listing (so far my pre-existing listings have been unharmed). LG is a home appliance and electronics company in Korea ... and have nothing to do with my products in any way, shape, or form. A child could comprehend this. Perhaps they should hire some.
Note, only companies that register their brand with Amazon get this sort of automatic active protection. Others would have to find and file complaint against listings, then Amazon would act.
Best of luck. But it seems all we can do is adapt to the nonsense and not waste our own stomach lining on futile efforts to make them aware.
Seller_NxyJMKWHRM2dZ
We are having the same issue with one of our products. We sell fitness equipment and one of our items is a Smith Machine. Amazon told us we have to remove "Smith" from the listing in the title, keywords, etc. Even though "Smith Machine" is a fitness category. It's so ridiculous.
Seller_Y5j9vZwX33RKt
This is a lost battle. There is no way to deal with a real person with a brain who understands the situation, and the customer support people can't force the system and fix this problem. There is also no way to talk to someone in this IP infringement department. At Amazon, rules are stronger than common sense.
Meanwhile, their site is FULL of sellers vioalting IP. All it takes is a slight wrong spelling and our dear Chinese "Spider Web Man" is the new Spiderman. ..
Seller_qS4hi6SmsLLix
You will have to appeal using the link in the violation, then you will have to request a call and provide that case number.
Here are some considerations:
1- When you trademark a word it does not protects ALL classes of products and services, it only protects the classes you apply for. There is a bank called APPLEBANK. Apple also offer financial services, but since the bank trademarked first in the banking class, there is nothing Apple they can do. If I'm correct, Jewelry class is 14 and I'm pretty sure Apple did not pay to trademark the name in this class, so use this argument.
2- Don't use the word Apple with capital A. Use lowercase instead. As suggested, you can use apple-shaped necklace. Remember that bots are reading, not humans.
3- Also be careful with your keywords, product description and bullet points.
The process is painful, but request a call and most likely someone from USA will talk to you after you file your appeal.
Don't forget to come back and tell us the outcome. Good luck
