NEW YORK – With years of expertise in intellectual property, and daily interactions with Amazon sellers, attorneys at Cabilly & Co. (offices in New York and Israel) have found that most account suspensions aren’t caused by bad behavior. Instead, they often result from the absence of a clear legal strategy from day one.
According to Shahak Leon Netz, Esq., partner at Cabilly & Co. the main reasons include:
• choosing a brand name without verifying if it’s available;
• listing a popular product that’s actually protected by a patent; and
• using images or text found online—often without permission.
“These things might not cause trouble right away, but sooner or later, platforms and competitors may notice,” warns Netz, an intellectual property lawyer. “That’s when accounts can get flagged or suspended.”
The solution, the firm says, is to “think legally, and early.” Before launching or scaling, sellers should ask themselves:
• Is my brand name legally available and protected?
• Am I sure my products don’t infringe on anyone else’s rights?
• Do I own the content I’m posting?
For sellers who want to check and see if a brand name is already trademarked, Cabilly & Co. attorneys have advice. “Each country (or jurisdiction) has its own trademark laws and its own registry, so the first step is to search in the relevant official government trademark database for the country where you’d like to register your brand,” they say. “That said, even if you don’t find an exact match for your desired name, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s available. Trademark examiners often refuse applications for marks that are similar, not just identical, especially if they cover related goods or services.”
For example, in the United States, the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) examines applications closely and can cite confusingly similar marks, even if they’re in different product categories. Such refusals can be difficult and often impractical to overcome. Because of this, it’s best to consult trademark attorneys before filing. They can identify potential conflicts and help to assess the risks in advance. Cabilly & Co offers a step-by-step overview of the trademark process here.
“If you take the proper steps and conduct the recommended checks before choosing your trademark, as outlined in our guide, you’ll greatly reduce the chances of being suspended by Amazon,” Netz says. “It’s also important to note that each suspension case depends on its specific circumstances.”
Cabilly & Co. is scheduled to exhibit (Booth #531) at Prosper 2026, scheduled for March 10-12 at The Wynn Las Vegas.