Amazon hijacking is a problem. But you can fight back! Ecommerce entrepreneurs compete with counterfeiters. Unfortunately, it just comes with the territory. But sellers can protect brand integrity by protecting intellectual property and customizing products.

Product counterfeiters and listing hijackers are an ecommerce scourge. Their MO?

• First, scour online marketplaces for easy-to-copy products;
• Then, occupy product listings;
• And lastly, undercut the original price by selling inferior copycats. (Sometimes they sell exact product replicas acquired through supply chain leaks).

So, how do you shake a listing tick? Unfortunately, a silver bullet solution doesn’t exist, but you can deter product pickpockets.

Amazon Hijacking Prevention Tip #1: Vet Your Supply Chain Like Your Financial Security Depends On It (Because It Does)

Blunt talk: Overseas manufacturers may not care about you or your business (#NotAllOverseasManufacturers). Understandably, their top priority is making money — and they’re often not beholden to U.S. laws.

So, how can you avoid a disastrous partnership? Again, no bullet proof method exists. But what you can do is vet, vet — and then vet some more. Scour the Internet for information about potential factories and manufacturers; read industry message boards; hire a translator if you must!

Also, adopt a Prime Directive attitude; share the names of quality supply chain vendors with other sellers. Mitigating counterfeiters makes financial sense for the industry, as a whole.

Amazon Hijacking Prevention Tip #2: Add A Little *Something* To Your Product

Hijackers leech off elbow grease. Use their tendencies to your advantage.

How?

The more unique a product, the more difficult to copy. Add a special feature or sub rosa engraving. Differentiating your brand is effective counterfeit repellent.

Amazon Hijacking Prevention Tip #3: Spruce Up Your Packaging

Add something special to your packaging. The gesture doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive – it can be as simple as a note. So long as it’s an unadvertised surprise, it’ll work.

Why?

Because packaging differences work as A-to-Z claim evidence. Also, if you have to track down a supply chain leak, you may be able to pinpoint the culprit if you can pinpoint the exact stage duplication diverges.

Amazon Hijacking Prevention Tip #4: Brand Register & Maybe More

Take advantage of Amazon’s Brand Registry program. It’s not the same as getting the USPTO’s stamp of approval, but Amazon brand registry has its advantages. Importantly, it gives you more control over listing pages – which can be helpful when fighting hijackers.

The more control you wield over product listings, the more details you can add – and details are kryptonite to hijackers.

Like citronella candles to mosquitoes, brand registry is not a cure-all; but it does repel a bunch of unwelcome pests.

Product Counterfeit Repellent Tip #5: Talk It Out, First

If you’re hit by a hijacker, keep calm; keep cool; keep collected. After all, maybe it’s a genuine, newbie mistake. So, before blowing a gasket, send a private message to the would-be hijacker. Try not to come across as litigious or hyper aggressive. No need for bad blood over an unintentional blunder.

Now, if reasoning doesn’t work, and it’s clear you’re dealing with a seasoned scam artist, it may be time for reinforcements. That’s where we come in.

A Private Label Law Attorney May Be the Answer to Your Hijacking Headache

Unfortunately, hijackers are part of the ecommerce environment. They’ll never go extinct. Like cockroaches, hijackers and counterfeiters will adapt, survive, and multiply! But if you’re vigilant and play a few smart cards, the likelihood of being hit diminishes.

Deal with hijacking issues head-on, before they demolish profits!

Need experienced advice about an e-commerce legal challenge? Contact Kelly Warner.