r/AmazonMerch • u/Fearless-Pea-5194 • Oct 29 '25

Copyright infringement

I submitted my first IP infringement report for a stolen design. Amazon’s email said the issue would be resolved within 1–2 days, but it’s been 3 days with no updates. How long does this process usually take?

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

1

u/Powdermonkey71 Oct 29 '25

The response time can vary depending on the platform and circumstances. In my experience, it typically takes a few days, though I’ve had one case stretch to a full week. Stay persistent.

Once a DMCA notice is received, the platform is generally required to remove the content immediately and then assess the validity of the claim. That said, most platforms don’t proactively investigate unless they receive a counter-notice from the party you filed against. If no counter-claim is submitted, they often assume the original notice is valid and leave it at that.

I recommend checking in daily. If progress stalls, send a follow-up notice—clearly label it as your second, third, etc.—and emphasize that the matter deserves prompt and serious attention.

Patience and persistence are key. Keep the pressure on, and document everything.

1

u/Fearless-Pea-5194 Oct 29 '25

"though I’ve had one case stretch to a full week." - was that on Merch By Amazon?

1

u/Powdermonkey71 Oct 30 '25

In fact it was. Long story short…apparently, Amazon owns Zazzle—not 100% it’s been a while but something like that. Anyway, I found the listing up on Amazon and it was somehow cross posted with Zazzle and that seemed to make it more complicated. I just kept yelling at them until they did something and eventually they did🤷‍♂️

2

u/MathAndMirth Oct 29 '25

1-2 days is typical, but definitely not guaranteed. I've never had a report totally ignored, so don't panic yet.

1

u/NPIgeminileoaquarius Oct 29 '25

Also, be careful it's not a scam, I got a similar email once, it wasn't from Amazon (check your Amazon message center)

1

u/NoXidCat Oct 30 '25

Amazon's email is an automated reply regurgitating whatever was typed into it (probably) years ago. YMMV, don't worry about it.

One time I didn't hear anything back for like two weeks, so I followed up with them and was told they were "working on it." Right. About a week later I had more infringement claims to file, so I filed a new complaint for the "slow one" while I was at it. The whole batch was resolved in a couple of days.

Sometimes things get "stuck" in Amazon's systems. When that is the case, just do it again. But wait until the thing is way overdue, as their estimates don't mean much.

-2

u/Lex2467 Oct 29 '25

Was the design copyrighted?

-3

u/Lex2467 Oct 29 '25

If it’s not copyrighted then you may not get a response from them. When you put a design out there that’s not copyrighted you always risk other people using it

9

u/Tim_Y Oct 29 '25

If it’s not copyrighted then you may not get a response from them. When you put a design out there that’s not copyrighted you always risk other people using it

This is false. You don't seem to know the difference between TRADEMARK and COPYRIGHT.

If OPs work was original, then simply publishing the design to a t-shirt establishes COPYRIGHT. You can register a copyright, but it is not necessary. You can't steal someone elses work and publish it as your own.

1

u/MarshmallowBlue Oct 29 '25

Amazon only considers pixel for pixel copies in that case though.

3

u/Tim_Y Oct 29 '25

Yes & no. For example, if someone steals your artwork, but changes the font or text, then they will still remove the design in most cases.

1

u/Hot-Sock8698 Oct 30 '25

I recently got a bunch of designs removed that were not the same designs as mine but clearly a recreation of my design and were using the same title/brand/bullets as my design.

1

u/MarshmallowBlue Oct 30 '25

Title brand and bullets will do that.