If you’re an Amazon seller, few things are more nerve-wracking than seeing a red flag in your Account Health Dashboard. Two of the most common (and confusing) alerts are:
- Suspected Intellectual Property Violations
- Reported Intellectual Property Violations
They may sound similar, but they carry very different risks — and handling them correctly could be the difference between a healthy seller account and a permanent suspension.
Suspected IP Violations — A Warning, Not a Strike
This is Amazon’s automated early-warning system. No one has filed a complaint — but Amazon’s algorithms have flagged your listing as potentially infringing on someone’s intellectual property.
What Triggers a Suspected Violation?
- Listing branded products without brand approval
- Using trademarked words in your product title or description
- Uploading images with logos or watermarks
- Selling products with invoices Amazon can’t verify
How Serious Is It?
- No direct penalty… yet
- Does not count as a policy violation — but it hurts your Account Health
- Too many ignored warnings can escalate into listing removals or actual violations
Suspected violations are a signal to review your listing, update your invoices, or remove the item before it turns into something worse.
Reported IP Violations — A Legal Complaint & Serious Strike
Now we’re talking trouble.
Reported IP Violations occur when the brand owner or rights holder formally reports your listing for infringing on their intellectual property rights (trademark, copyright, or patent).
This is a real complaint — and Amazon treats it as such.
What Triggers a Reported Violation?
- Selling branded products without authorization (especially gated brands)
- Selling counterfeit or unauthenticated items
- Using brand-owned content, logos, or media
- In some cases, competitors may abuse this system
How Serious Is It?
- Counts as a policy violation
- Immediately affects Account Health Rating (AHR)
- Too many violations can result in:
- ASIN deactivation
- Account suspension
- Permanent ban (in severe or repeated cases)
IP Violations vs Suspected: Key Differences
| Feature | Suspected Violation | Reported Violation |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Automated by Amazon’s algorithm | Reported by brand or rights owner |
| Legal Complaint? | No | Yes |
| Affects Account Health? | Mild impact | Serious impact |
| Listing Removed Immediately? | Not always | Often yes |
| Risk of Suspension? | Low (unless ignored) | High |
| Can You Appeal? | Yes (by fixing listing or proving source) | Yes (requires strong supporting evidence) |
What To Do If You’re Flagged
If It’s a Suspected Violation:
- Review listing content
- Remove brand names or logos not allowed
- Check if the product is branded or trademarked
- Provide valid invoices or authorization letters if needed
- Consider removing the listing if you’re unsure
If It’s a Reported Violation:
- Review the complaint carefully
- Remove the listing immediately
- Contact the rights owner if listed, and request a retraction
- Submit a detailed Plan of Action to Amazon including:
- Root cause
- Corrective actions
- Preventive measures
How Bettersell Can Help
Whether you’ve received a suspected warning or a full-blown IP complaint, Bettersell can help you handle it:
Review and correct listings flagged for IP issues
Assist in creating valid invoices or sourcing compliant suppliers
Help with ungating branded categories
Guide you through submitting an appeal or Plan of Action
Help you contact brand owners for complaint retractions
We’ve worked with sellers at every stage — from mild alerts to full suspensions — and we know how to navigate Amazon’s strict IP systems.
Final Thoughts
Don’t ignore that red flag — even if it’s just “suspected.”
IP violations are among the most serious risks to your Amazon business. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving your listings and protecting your account.
If you’re unsure how to handle your violation, or your invoices keep getting rejected, contact Bettersell for expert guidance — before it’s too late.
Got a suspected or reported IP violation?
Let Bettersell help you fix it, appeal it, and protect your business.
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