Skipping a Chinese trademark can hand competitors your supply chain
Sellers are being warned that a missing Chinese trademark can let competitors block their exports entirely. Unlike the first-to-use United States, China is first-to-file, registration costs only about 800 RMB, and a trademark cannot be invalidated for non-use until three years after registration.
One case study tells of a seller couple whose best-selling ASINs were suspended after a competitor sourcing from the same factory filed a U.S. design patent over the shared product design, then used it to block the couple's exports from China. The takedown landed hours before the pair were to close a sale of their brand to Thrasio; a direct settlement with the competitor eventually saved the deal.
Amazon has introduced price floor protection, preventing sellers from accidentally dropping prices below a set minimum when running percentage-off discounts.
Amazon is also intensifying its crackdown on paid reviews, sending questionnaires to reviewers about their dealings with sellers and influencer collaborations on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. The company says its systems blocked more than 250 million suspected fake reviews in 2023, and the FTC has new rules barring paid testimonials.
A former Amazon seller was sentenced November 25 to 188 months in prison for a fraud scheme that raised about $20.5 million from more than 1,000 investors through companies including Dynasty Toys and 7M E-group. He was ordered to pay restitution of $22.5 million after convictions for wire, mail, and securities fraud and money laundering.
Event season is taking shape: The Prosper Show runs March 25-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, preceded by a gathering of 500-plus seven-figure sellers on March 24-25, with satellite parties already being announced.
Google holds just 18 percent of total daily search volume, while Amazon ranks fifth at roughly 40 percent of Google's volume, a reminder to optimize where customers actually search. Amazon has also added native QuickBooks integration for third-party sellers and brought back its holiday 'Thank My Driver' $5 tip promotion. A freighter carrying 6,500 cars can command $95,000 per day, against a record of $115,000.
