Brand infringement

Brand infringement can take many forms, from counterfeit goods to fake social media accounts and deceptive online stores. Understanding the many faces of brand infringement is the first step in protecting both businesses and buyers from falling victim to these tactics.

Counterfeit products are fake versions of real items that are sold with the intent of deceiving customers into thinking they are purchasing genuine goods. These products use a brand’s logo, design, or trademarks without permission. Counterfeits can be found in almost every industry, from fashion to electronics, and they often look very similar to the authentic products, making it hard for customers to tell the difference.

Online auction platforms like eBay and Amazon provide vast opportunities for retailers to reach global consumers. However, they also create risks for buyers, who may unknowingly purchase counterfeit or non-genuine goods. The presence of fake products on such platforms has led to numerous disputes between brand owners and auction sites.

A fake social media account refers to a social media profile created to look like it belongs to a well-known brand, but it's not authorized by the brand itself. These accounts may use the brand’s logo, name, and images to trick customers into thinking they are interacting with the real brand. Sometimes, these accounts are created to steal customer information, sell counterfeit products, or spread false information. 

For example, a fake Instagram account might pretend to be a popular clothing brand, offering discounts or products that look similar to the brand's real items. Since these accounts often look convincing, unsuspecting customers may end up buying fake products or giving personal details to scammers.

A fake store page is an online store that uses a brand’s name, images, and products to create a website that looks legitimate, but is actually a scam. These fake stores often offer products at unrealistically low prices, drawing in customers who are looking for a good deal. However, when customers try to make a purchase, they either receive counterfeit products or nothing at all. Sometimes, fake store pages are created specifically to steal payment information or personal details from unsuspecting buyers.

Fake apps are mobile applications created to look like they belong to a well-known brand but are not authorized by the brand. These apps often promise to offer useful features or special deals, but in reality, they can be harmful. Fake apps can steal personal information, infect devices with malware, or trick users into paying for something that doesn’t exist. For example, a fake app might pretend to be a popular food delivery service, allowing users to place orders that are never delivered, or asking for credit card details that are then used fraudulently.

One of the biggest problems with fake apps is that they can be published on app stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store, sometimes slipping through the cracks of the platform’s review process.

Domain squatting happens when someone registers a domain name that is very similar to a brand’s name or trademark, but without permission. The person who registers this domain typically has no intention of using it for a legitimate business. Instead, they hope to sell the domain to the brand at a higher price later, often forcing the brand to pay a premium to get their rightful domain back. This practice is also known as "cybersquatting."

For example, if a famous brand’s website is "examplebrand.com", a cybersquatter might register "examplebrad.com" or "examplbrand.com" with the hope that the brand will eventually want to buy it. This tactic not only harms the brand’s ability to operate online but can also confuse customers who visit the wrong website. 

Trademark squatting is when someone registers or uses a trademark that belongs to another company, usually in a different country where the original brand has not yet registered the trademark. The squatter does this in bad faith, hoping to sell the trademark to the original brand for a profit or to prevent the brand from entering that market.

For instance, if a well-known company is planning to expand to a new country but hasn’t yet registered their trademark there, a trademark squatter might file for the same trademark. Once the brand tries to enter the new market, the squatter may demand a high price to sell the trademark back. This practice prevents the legitimate brand from protecting its name and products in that country and can be costly to resolve.

Listings hijacking occurs when a third-party seller takes over a legitimate product listing on an e-commerce platform, like Amazon, by adding their own counterfeit or inferior products to it. These counterfeit products are sold under the original listing’s title, price, and customer reviews, making it look like the official product is being sold. This practice can confuse consumers and damage the original brand’s reputation.

For example, if a popular brand is selling a phone charger on Amazon, a hijacker may add a fake charger to the same listing. Consumers may think they are purchasing the authentic charger, but they end up with a subpar or fake product.