EP #375] [ENG] - How the trademarke and IP landscape is changing on Amazon - Mario Simonyan

Amazon’s shifting marketplace landscape increasingly favors direct-to-brand relationships, forcing wholesalers and resellers to adapt or face obsolescence. Mario Simonyan, an attorney and former Amazon seller, highlights how recent policy changes—including FBA surcharges and payment delays—serve as a strategic push to prioritize brand owners. To navigate this, brands must aggressively protect intellectual property by utilizing "material difference" arguments against unauthorized sellers. Furthermore, the Federal Trade Commission is intensifying scrutiny on "Made in USA" claims, necessitating rigorous audits of all marketing assets to avoid substantial fines. While Amazon’s automated enforcement systems are becoming more sophisticated, they remain imperfect, and sellers should not hesitate to pursue arbitration for unresolved issues like lost inventory or withheld funds. Proactive legal compliance and strategic brand management are now essential for maintaining long-term stability in an increasingly competitive and regulated Amazon ecosystem.