You buy a product at Walmart, it's 100% authentic, you list it on Amazon, and then you get an intellectual property complaint. Account health takes a hit. The listing gets removed.
This happens to OA sellers regularly. Here's why, and what you can do about it.
What Is an IP Complaint?
An IP (Intellectual Property) complaint is filed by a brand owner claiming that a seller is infringing on their trademark, copyright, or patent.
On Amazon, brands can file IP complaints against any seller on their listings. The system is heavily weighted in favor of brand owners — Amazon will typically remove your listing first and ask questions later.
The frustrating reality for OA sellers is that complaints can be filed even against legitimate, authentic products. Some brands use IP complaints as a way to clear third-party sellers off their listings regardless of authenticity.
Types of IP Complaints
Trademark infringement: Using the brand's name or logo in a way they consider unauthorized. Usually not an issue for OA sellers listing on existing ASINs.
Counterfeit complaint: Brand owner claims your product is fake. The most dangerous type — can lead to account suspension and inventory removal.
Patent complaint: Brand claims a product design or feature patent is being infringed. Less common for OA sellers.
Which Brands File Most Complaints
Some brands are notorious for filing complaints against legitimate OA sellers:
Very high risk:
- Nike — files aggressively against unauthorized sellers
- Apple — near-impossible to sell without authorization
- Yeti — known for pursuing third-party sellers
- UGG — highest counterfeit complaint rates in footwear
- Stanley — complaint volume surged after viral popularity
Moderate risk:
- The North Face
- Under Armour
- Dyson
- Most luxury/lifestyle brands
Low risk:
- Instant Pot, Cuisinart, Rubbermaid, Black+Decker
- Most non-branded or generic items
How to Protect Yourself
1. Check brand risk before sourcing
Before buying anything at Walmart, check whether the brand has a history of filing IP complaints against OA sellers. FlipMeter's brand pages show seller risk levels for commonly sourced Walmart brands.
2. Keep your receipts
Always keep your Walmart receipts (physical or digital). If you receive a complaint, your receipt is evidence that you sourced the product legitimately. Some sellers photograph every receipt and store them in a shared folder organized by ASIN.
3. Avoid high-risk brands entirely
For new sellers, the simplest protection is to avoid gated brands and high-IP-risk brands altogether. There are thousands of profitable products at Walmart from ungated, low-risk brands. You don't need to fight that battle.
4. Check gating status before listing
If you receive an "Apply to sell" message in Seller Central, do not list the product. The brand is gated and listing without approval virtually guarantees a policy violation.
5. Don't source from liquidation or suspicious channels
IP complaints are most justified when products are counterfeit or materially different from what's listed. Stick to major retail sources (Walmart, Target, etc.) where you can verify authenticity.
What to Do If You Receive a Complaint
- Don't panic. Many complaints can be appealed successfully.
- Gather your documentation. Receipt from Walmart, images of the product as purchased.
- Submit an appeal through Seller Central. Explain that the product was sourced from an authorized retailer with documentation.
- Contact the brand directly. In some cases, reaching out to the brand's seller support can resolve the complaint faster than Amazon's process.
Repeat complaints are what cause account suspension. A single resolved complaint with proper documentation usually doesn't cause lasting damage.
The Bottom Line
IP complaints are a real risk for OA sellers, but they're manageable if you're disciplined about sourcing. Avoid high-risk brands, keep documentation, and focus on the large universe of low-risk products at Walmart that produce consistent, complaint-free results.