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I never intended to sell online. Online retail seemed like the world of big companies, cut-price importers and small businesses trying to make a quick buck by any means. I never imagined I would be carving out my own little niche in that world. And yet, this month marks two years since I started doing just that. Let’s start with how I got here. It all began with needing to make space and a little extra money. My lease was running out and soon after that insurance would be due on my car - my first, a cute little hatchback perfect for city drives, but insurance is steep regardless when you are a new driver. Moving was more urgent. Anyone who has ever moved knows how much work it takes to sort and pack and ship and unpack everything, and how it’s also a good time to declutter sort out all that stuff that has accumulated over the years living in one place. For me, moving meant I had to finally part with a few of my books. I’ve loved books ever since I was [...]

Guest blog by CJ from Amazon Sellers' Lawyer Amazon Seller Account Problems? Hitting a wall with your Amazon appeal? While Amazon seller forums are great resources for smaller issues, it’s not easy to get clear answers about how to deal with account suspensions, appeals or suspensions from intellectual property right accusations. But how do you know when it’s time to get legal help? No lawyer can (or should) guarantee that your account or listing will be reinstated. That’s always up to Amazon. However, a lawyer experienced in working with Amazon sellers may give you a better chance at reinstatement than might have on your own. Here are seven good reasons to reach out to a lawyer to help you with your Amazon problems. 1. When your account is suspended. Your first request for reinstatement usually starts at the Seller Performance or Product Quality teams. Next, it’s the Policy Team. Then, you are still suspended you can reach out to the Jeff Bezos’s team.  Every time you move up a rung, your chances of being reinstated diminish and the effects of the decisions become more permanent. [...]

Guest blog by Amazon Sellers Lawyer  A trademark is a symbol, phrase, or some other device that distinguishes ownership of a product or service.  For example, the way that McDonald’s writes the “M” and the Nike swoosh are both trademarks.  When you see either, you know what to expect. United States federal law governs trademarks.  Trademarks are described in section 32(1) of the Lanham Act a set of federal laws. A trademark is intended to stand as a mark of quality.  They can be viewed at the government’s website for the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office). People that buy products from Amazon third-party sellers' often rely on trademarks when making purchases.  When they see a trademark, buyers know they are getting quality goods even though the seller is not an authorized reseller. Trademark infringement occurs when someone takes a trademark, like the Nike swoosh, and puts it on a non-Nike shirt. If you take someone’s mark and put it on your product, that is clearly trademark infringement. What is NOT trademark violation in the United States is also clear: if you buy and [...]