A complete explanation of Amazon trademark registration and brand filing: necessity, application process and related issues

On the Amazon platform, trademark registration is an important measure to protect your brand. This article will summarize all relevant issues and requirements for merchants in the process of trademark registration and brand filing on Amazon.

1. Is a trademark or brand required to open an Amazon store?

You don’t necessarily need a trademark or brand to sell on Amazon. Merchants can register personal or business accounts, and personal accounts do not require a trademark. However, if a merchant wishes to sell its own branded products or register a brand name, it must have a trademark. Trademarks not only protect a brand’s image but also help consumers differentiate their products and services from those of other competitors.

2. Requirements for trademark registration

In order to register a brand on Amazon, merchants need to meet the following basic requirements:

1. Registered trademark: Merchants need to provide registered trademarks and ensure that they comply with laws and regulations.
2. Trademark certificate for the corresponding category: The trademark registration certificate must be consistent with the product category you plan to sell on Amazon.
3. Trademark Validity: Ensure that the trademark has been approved and issued a certificate, usually through registration with a professional lawyer or intellectual property department.
4. Tax registration certificate: Provide a valid tax registration certificate for Amazon-related trademark information and account tax issues.
5. Copy of Trademark Registration Certificate: Submit official copies of the Trademark Registration Certificate and Tax Registration Certificate to Amazon.

3. Advantages of registered trademark

After registering a trademark, sellers will gain several advantages on Amazon:

• Meet the registration qualifications for the Brand Registry 2.0 project.
• Report to the infringer and request immediate removal of the infringing goods.
• File complaints against other sellers using similar brands to protect your own interests.
• The trademark owner will be the only person to obtain the right to use the brand, avoiding the risk of the brand being registered by a third party.

4. US trademark application process

To register a trademark in the United States, you need to follow the following steps:

• Visit the United States Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) website to submit a trademark application. Anyone, including non-U.S. citizens, can apply.
• Submit a “Statement of Use” or “Proof of Use of Goods/Packaging” to prove that the trademark has been used in the United States.
• Ensure that the registered trademark is unique in the relevant field and search through the USPTO’s electronic trademark search system.
• Correctly define and classify the product list and accurately describe the nature of the product. This process is usually relatively complex.

After the review process, if there is no objection, the trademark will be registered. Generally speaking, it takes 7 to 8 months from application to obtaining a trademark.

5. Information consistency between trademark and Amazon account

Some merchants may encounter inconsistencies in their company name, address, and trademark when registering an Amazon account. There are two solutions for this:

1. Change the registered address in the Amazon backend to be consistent with the trademark information, but in some cases (such as European stations) it may cause review.
2. If you do not change your address, you need to pay close attention to Amazon’s feedback email after submitting the brand registration to explain the difference in company information.

6. Summary

If a merchant wants to register a brand and sell trademarked products on Amazon, trademark registration is an indispensable step. Although trademarks are not mandatory for personal accounts, in order to obtain greater market protection and recognition, it is recommended that merchants plan in advance and actively register trademarks. By understanding the required processes and strengths, merchants can stay ahead in the competitive e-commerce environment.

This article is based on multiple articles about Amazon trademark registration and brand filing, and part of the content comes from.