If you sell on Amazon, you know the competition is tough. New products often attract copycats, and without the right protection, your ideas can be copied, which can hurt your sales and brand. Patents, both design and utility, can help protect your products. Here’s what you should know.
1. Know Your Patents
Before you look at ways to protect your products, it’s important to know the two main types of patents that can help Amazon sellers.
Design Patent
- Protects your product’s appearance: shape, style, and decoration.
- Great for visually unique items like phone cases, mugs, or packaging.
Utility Patent
- Covers how your product works, including its function or mechanism.
- Ideal for gadgets, tools, or any product that offers a new solution or method.
Tip: Many sellers file both to cover appearance and function.
2. Why It Matters on Amazon
Some sellers think patents are just for big companies, but even small Amazon sellers can benefit from both types of protection.
- Stop copycats: Patents give you a legal right you can assert when you report suspected infringement using Amazon’s IP tools.
- Boost credibility: Having a patent can signal that your product is innovative and well-developed.
- Use Amazon tools: Brand Registry has a patent evaluation feature.
- Add value: Patents can make your business more valuable and open up licensing opportunities.
3. Steps to Protect Your Product
1. Conduct a Patent Search
Before you file, make sure your product is truly new. A professional patent search can help you avoid spending time and money on ideas that are already patented.
2. Decide on the Type of Protection
- If your product stands out mainly because of how it looks, a design patent may be enough.
- If your product has a unique function or technical feature, consider a utility patent. Many sellers apply for both types to get the most protection.
3. File Your Patent Application
- Design patents are usually quicker and less expensive to get, often approved within 12 to 18 months.
- Utility patents take longer, usually 2 to 4 years, but they offer stronger protection for how your product works.
4. Register with Amazon Brand Registry
Once you have a registered or pending trademark, you can enroll in Brand Registry and use Amazon’s tools to protect your listings.
The Brand Registry gives you the ability to:
- Report and potentially remove counterfeit listings
- Help stop unauthorized sellers from hijacking your listings
- Strengthen your control over product presentation
5. Monitor and Enforce Your Rights
Even with patents, it’s important to keep an eye on your listings. Use Amazon’s IP reporting tools and think about professional help to stop infringement quickly.
Final Thoughts
Selling on Amazon is competitive, and new products can be copied. By using design and utility patents, you can protect your ideas, keep your revenue safe, and build a brand that customers trust.
Patenting can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Talking to an IP attorney from BHW IP Law early in your product development can save you time, money, and stress, and help protect your Amazon business.
Bottom Line
Innovative products deserve protection. Patents help Amazon sellers protect their creations, deter copycats, and strengthen their brands. Start early. The IP attorneys at BHW IP Law can help make sure your invention and business are fully protected.
