Overview

Amazon’s Notice Infringement Teams (NIT) have tightened the enforcement of intellectual‑property complaints, causing a noticeable rise in both listing removals and full‑account suspensions as of early 2024. Sellers who depend on branded or brand‑related inventory must understand the new workflow to avoid costly downtime and preserve revenue streams.

Key Points

• Single verified complaint triggers removal — One authenticated claim from a rights‑owner can instantly pull a listing from the marketplace, often before Amazon notifies the seller.
• 48‑hour evidence deadline — NIT now demands original invoices, purchase orders, or licensing agreements within two days of the request, making rapid document retrieval essential.
• Escalation timeline — If the seller does not comply, the case moves from a “listing hold” to a full “seller account suspension” after 72 hours of inactivity.
• 7‑day POA requirement — Sellers must submit a complete Plan of Action within one week of receiving the policy‑violation notice, or risk permanent loss of selling privileges.
• Brand Registry & Transparency shield — Enrolling in Amazon’s Brand Registry or Transparency programs automatically blocks many false infringement claims for protected brands.
• Higher stakes for brand‑related products — Items that reference well‑known trademarks (e.g., “Nike” logos on generic apparel) are now scrutinized more aggressively, leading to a higher suspension rate for such listings.

How the Infringement Notice Process Works

1. Complaint submission — A rights‑owner files an infringement report via Amazon’s “Report Infringement” form, pinpointing a specific ASIN such as a generic sports shirt bearing a trademarked logo; Amazon logs the case and flags the ASIN for review.
2. Automated listing hold — Within minutes the NIT changes the ASIN status to “restricted,” removing it from search results while the claim is examined, and an email informs the seller of the removal.
3. Request for Evidence (RFE) issuance — NIT sends a detailed RFE that lists required documents—typically a purchase invoice dated within the past 12 months, a brand‑owner licensing agreement, or a declaration of authenticity—and sets a 48‑hour deadline for submission.