{2 minutes to read} If you’re a products-based business, or are getting ready to launch a products-based business, you may have heard of the Amazon Brand Registry program. A new and improved Brand Registry was launched in 2017 by Amazon to help provide sellers with accurate brand representation, powerful search tools, and proactive brand protection. Brand Registry helps brand owners protect their brands (on Amazon), and helps sellers develop trust with customers. It is an extremely important program for many brand owners.
One of the requirements of the Brand Registry is that you provide Amazon with a trademark registration for your brand from each country in which you’d like to enroll. A trademark application is not sufficient; you must have a registration.
What many people don’t realize is that it typically takes 8-12 months to obtain a trademark registration in the US, even if the registration process goes smoothly. So, if you’re considering selling on Amazon, it’s very important to get your trademark application on file as quickly as possible. There are no mechanisms for expediting your US trademark application.
Once you submit proof of your US trademark registration, Amazon will provide a code to the correspondent listed in the US Patent and Trademark Office records — typically, your attorney. You must have this code to complete the application process for the Amazon Brand Registry.
Also worth noting is that the text of the trademark in your trademark registration must match the brand name on the Amazon Brand Registry application. And, Amazon currently only accepts trademarks that have been issued by government offices in:
- the United States
- Brazil
- Canada
- Mexico
- Australia
- India
- Japan
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
- the United Kingdom, and
- the European Union.
If you need help filing your trademark application in the US, or in any other country, please contact us at 212-360-2307.
Kelly Weiner
Trademark Counsel
Law Office of Kelly Weiner PLLC
175 Varick Street, Fl 6
New York, New York 10014
(E) info@kellyweinerlaw.com
(P) 212.360.2307