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Using Amazon trademarks inappropriately
bvgroote
Posts: 4
Joined: 01 Oct 16
Trust:
06 Apr 17 4:16 am

Using Amazon trademarks inappropriately

Hi Y'all! Just got rejected from Amazon with the chance to re-apply. No biggie, just thought I would get your opinion. The email reads like this:

We have completed our review of your application to the Amazon Associates Program, which included a visit to the website where you planned to create links to our store.

We found you listed the URL for your web site as: http://www.mysite.com/?s=amazon (*note: They link to a page equivalent to someone typing in Amazon in our in built search bar on our site) . Your web site includes the unapproved use of Amazon.com trademarked words, images, or reviews.

We do not allow the use of URLs, trademarks, logos, etc. that include words that are trademarked by Amazon.com LLC. This includes variations or misspellings of any trademarked words. We are therefore unable to approve your application. Accordingly, we have closed the account under which you had been temporarily approved and that approval has now ended.


Now after some research it appears that we may be using some buttons that are in appropriate as they contain the Amazon logo but are not official Amazon buttons. Probably problem solved right?

A few questions that someone might want to chip in with some advice about:

1. Why did they link to that search URL? Do you think it's a way to show us all the places that Amazon shows up on our site or do you think they are saying there is a link on our site that points to this search which is inappropriate? Kind of confusing.

2. When using in-built theme buttons, do we have to be careful about our wording? EG, is it ok to have a rectangular button with a red background that says "Check out this product on Amazon?" or should we just throw in the official Amazon buttons just in case?

3. Any other mention of Amazon do we have to be careful of our wording? Even if we just mention them? EG "Amazon is probably the best place to get this product" or something similar?

Thanks for taking the time to read through this and happy affiliating!

Ben
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maryt
Posts: 3224
Joined: 16 Apr 12
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10 Apr 17 10:44 pm

 Hi Ben,

I am not that of an expert when it comes to promoting Amazon but I know for a fact that Amazon owns a lot of trademark products such as Kindle. And yes they are also strict in implementing the right use of their trademarks. You should also be very careful when it comes to using trademarks from brands like Sony for example. These are also stated in Amazon's guideines. For clearer explanation of what is and what's not, please refer to Amazon's Agreement Policy here: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/he ... /agreement
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carljohndavies
Posts: 17
Joined: 19 Mar 17
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11 Apr 17 5:05 pm

 I don't really promote amazon products often but I do know when you go to register for their affiliate promote in their approval process you are required to include your own website.

If you don't own a blog or your own website, just include your Facebook profile or Twitter.
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jackdorseyuknow
Posts: 3
Joined: 04 Apr 17
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13 Apr 17 11:17 am

 1. they review your site with ALL(most) OR any URL and if they find a error , they will lock your account.
2. have very much site use "Check out this product on Amazon" or same same it. i think not problem.
3. yes. Any other mention of Amazon do we have to be careful of our wording
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jayclarkjr
Posts: 7
Joined: 24 May 15
Trust:
19 Apr 17 11:29 pm

 I have been an Amazon Associate for many years. On many of my sites, I include the 'Powered By Amazon" banner and they have never objected.
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jbamniya98
Posts: 3
Joined: 15 Apr 17
Trust:
03 May 17 7:38 am

 Hello All,

I have encountered an impasse with Amazon regarding my product line and I need some advice about what I can do. The below albeit a bit long, is necessary to understand the circumstances and I greatly appreciate anybody willing to ready through it and provide me with their experience or feedback.

I am a professional vendor on Amazon and I sell in addition to many other product a product line that I manufacture and for which I hold the US Trademark. I have noticed two other vendors selling my products and consequently I contacted Amazon regarding this using their "Trademark Infringement Report". I filled it out and waited for their response. It was the following:
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