A huge number of sellers on Amazon creates a breeding ground for intellectual property violations, counterfeiting and other illegal activities. As a result, the company has received a lot of flake about these issues, even in the media.
However, to mitigate these problems, Amazon has introduced various programs like IP Accelerator, Brand Registry, and much more. Recently, Amazon expanded its Intellectual Property Accelerator (IP Accelerator) programme in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
IP Accelerator programme
This IP Accelerator makes it easy for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to obtain trademarks, protect their brands, and tackle counterfeit goods. Amazon launched the IP Accelerator programme last year keeping small business owners in mind in the United States. Since the launch, Amazon has connected SMBs with participating IP law firms, resulting in 6,000 trademark applications submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office.
The e-commerce giant has selected participating IP law firms based on their experience, expertise, and customer service. Over one hundred trademark experts across Europe have signed up for the program.
Connected with European law firms with expertise in IP rights.
According to the company, IP Accelerator, which is available to any brand selling in Amazon’s stores, connects entrepreneurs directly with a curated network of European law firms with expertise in IP rights.
However, the participating law firms will charge fees to SMBs at competitive, pre-negotiated rates, giving sellers confidence and clarity about how much obtaining a trademark will cost them. Besides, SMBs can also seek general IP advice from these law firms as their brands and businesses grow.
Moreover, the company claims that the larger businesses are four times more likely than SMBs to register their Intellectual Property (IP) rights. Well, the reason behind this is the complexity of the process, particularly for entrepreneurs in the early stages of setting up a business.
IP rights are vital for businesses wanting to stop unauthorised parties from using their brands or copying their ideas. Notably, owning IP can also create new sources of revenue, in case if the entrepreneur wishes to license their goods or services to third parties.
Businesses using IP Accelerator will also get access to Amazon’s wider brand protection services months or even years before their trademark registration is officially issued. Amazon’s Brand Registry provides SMBs with powerful tools that help them manage and protect their brand and IP rights in Amazon stores. Brand Registry is a free service, and more than 350,000 brands are already enrolled.
Participants benefit from Amazon’s automated protections that use information about brands to proactively remove suspected infringing or inaccurate content.
Pippa Hall, director of Innovation and chief economist from the UK’s Intellectual Property Office, says: “Great ideas are the core of every good business. Turning those ideas into a reality relies on IP. Understanding, protecting and getting the most out of your IP is a crucial ingredient of success. A good IP strategy should sit at the heart of every good business plan.”
Main image credit: Amazon
