How to Handle Repeat Infringement on Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon (Bronx Sellers)

What Bronx NY Sellers Need to Know to Protect Their Online Shops From Takedowns

Running an online shop takes serious work. When your listings get flagged or removed, it can feel like the rug’s been pulled out from under you. For sellers across the Bronx, whether you’re shipping handmade candles from Fordham or running a Shopify store out of a co-working space near Grand Concourse, getting hit with a repeat infringement notice can be overwhelming. And if you’ve received more than one takedown, your shop may be at risk.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we understand how stressful it is when a platform threatens your entire income. Our Bronx intellectual property attorney team helps Bronx-based Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify sellers respond to repeat infringement claims, protect their businesses, and fight for fair outcomes. We know how to communicate with these companies, and we’re here to protect your rights.

Recognize What Counts as Repeat Infringement

Platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and Shopify keep close tabs on violations. Once you get flagged, that incident stays on your record. A second or third strike, whether accidental or not, can push your store toward suspension.

Repeat infringement means you’ve been reported or penalized for the same or similar issues more than once. Some examples Bronx Etsy shop owners might face include:

• Listing items with copyrighted logos (TV characters, sports teams)
• Using trademarked phrases in product titles or descriptions
• Selling imported goods that mimic brand-name designs

If your Amazon storefront in the Bronx sells phone accessories, and a big brand claims your listing copies their design, even a single warning can count. If the platform sees another complaint, it might shut down your account entirely.

Understand Platform-Specific Rules

Each marketplace has its own process, and sellers in the Bronx must stay informed to avoid harsh penalties.

Etsy:

Etsy typically follows a three-strike policy. After three confirmed infringements, Etsy may close your shop without further warning. Even if you delete a listing right away, that strike stays on record.

Shopify:

Shopify allows sellers more control over their storefronts, but it still enforces strict rules around content. If you receive repeated Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown requests, Shopify can disable your store altogether.

Amazon:

Amazon treats rights-owner complaints very seriously. It doesn’t always give you the benefit of the doubt. Sellers in neighborhoods like Riverdale or Wakefield have seen accounts suspended over multiple complaints, even if no lawsuit ever followed.

Selling in a borough as vibrant as the Bronx means you’re likely sourcing from diverse channels. But if you’re using goods from markets in Port Morris or Hunts Point, you need to make sure those products don’t violate IP laws.

Respond Quickly When You Receive a Notice

Timing is everything. Once you receive a takedown notice, you must act fast. Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon each set tight deadlines. Miss those, and your options shrink.

Start by carefully reading the notice. Does it specify the copyright or trademark in question? Is it from the platform itself, or a rights holder? Your response needs to match the situation.

Here’s what to do immediately:

• Remove or edit the offending listing, if possible
• Save a copy of the notice
• Check if you’ve received similar notices before
• Avoid posting new listings until the issue is resolved

Bronx-based sellers often face added challenges. If you’re running your business part-time from an apartment in Soundview or a shared office in Pelham Bay, it’s easy to miss an email or overlook a notice. Set up alerts and check your spam folder often. Fast action can make the difference between a warning and a full suspension.

Identify What Caused the Violation

Not every infringement is obvious. Maybe your handmade Bronx T-shirt design uses a quote that’s trademarked. Maybe your Amazon listing used a stock image that turns out to be copyrighted.

You need to find the source of the violation. Look at:

• Product titles and descriptions
• Images and videos
• Tags and metadata
• Product packaging or inserts

For Bronx artists selling on Etsy or Shopify, the line between inspiration and infringement can blur. A local creator in Kingsbridge might design prints inspired by a cartoon character, not realizing the image violates copyright law. Even if you altered it, you can still get flagged.

Take the time to audit your shop. Look through current and past listings. Identify content that came from outside sources and make sure it’s safe to use.

Copyright infringement complaints are often triggered by third-party content like images, slogans, or borrowed brand themes. Removing or replacing that content early helps reduce the risk of multiple violations.

Avoid Repeat Mistakes With Smarter Listing Practices

To stay in business, you need to reduce risk. That means updating how you describe and present your products.

A few key adjustments can help:

• Use original product photos taken in your Bronx workspace
• Write clear, unique product descriptions in your own voice
• Avoid pop culture references or brand names in listing titles
• Don’t use terms like “inspired by” if they refer to trademarked content
• Stick to royalty-free or personally licensed design elements

If you run a Bronx Etsy shop selling candles, think about how you name your scents. Instead of using terms tied to major fragrance brands, try describing the aroma more creatively, like “apple cider loft” or “first snow in Van Cortlandt Park.”

Your listings don’t have to be bland, they just have to be yours.

Track All Notices and Build a Response File

Keeping organized helps you fight back. Platforms won’t do this part for you.

Start a response file. It can be as simple as a folder in Google Drive or a spreadsheet saved on your laptop. Include:

• Screenshots of each notice
• Dates you received them
• How you responded
• Notes on listing edits or product removals

Bronx sellers often juggle multiple gigs or storefronts. Maybe you run both an Amazon and Shopify shop from a one-bedroom apartment in Throggs Neck. When issues come up, having this file ready will save you time and prove your intent to comply.

This record also comes in handy if you need to challenge a wrongful takedown. It shows you’re paying attention and working in good faith.

Strengthen IP Compliance Through Local Resources

You don’t need to handle everything alone. Bronx offers plenty of support if you know where to look.

• The Bronx Chamber of Commerce hosts workshops and can connect you to trusted advisors
• The Bronx Business Solutions Center offers free help for small business owners, including guidance on legal and compliance issues
• CUNY legal clinics often provide low-cost or no-cost consultations with law students supervised by attorneys

If you’ve received multiple infringement notices, it’s smart to get ahead of the next one. Take advantage of these resources to better understand your rights and your risks.

Know When to Escalate to Legal Help

Sometimes, it’s too much to handle on your own. If you’ve received a second or third notice, especially from different platforms, it’s time to bring in an attorney.

Repeat infringement can lead to permanent account closures. And if you’re relying on that income to pay rent in Morris Park or support a family in Highbridge, the stakes are too high.

An experienced lawyer can:

• Draft counter-notices or formal responses
• Contact the rights holder directly
• Help you revise your listings to avoid future issues
• Advise you on trademark registration for your own brand

You don’t need to wait until things spiral. Getting help early gives you options.

Protect Your Own Work From Infringers

You work hard to create original products. Unfortunately, others may try to copy your designs, especially if your Bronx brand starts gaining traction.

If someone steals your listing photos, product descriptions, or handmade designs, you have the right to file a takedown request. Each platform offers a process:

• Etsy: Report infringement through their Intellectual Property Policy page
• Shopify: Submit a DMCA takedown notice to their legal department
• Amazon: File a complaint via the Report Infringement form

Make sure to gather proof of original creation. That might include:

• Timestamped photos or sketches
• Screenshots of your listing dates
• Records of design drafts or source files

You can take action if someone uses your copyrighted visuals or content without permission.

If your jewelry line from Mott Haven ends up copied by a seller in another state, you have a case. Protect your work the same way you’d protect your storefront.

Rebuild Seller Trust After a Suspension

If your account does get suspended, it’s not necessarily the end. You can recover, but it takes strategy, patience, and a strong plan.

Start by writing a platform-specific Plan of Action (POA). Focus on three things:

1. What caused the violation
2. What you did to fix it
3. What steps you’ll take to prevent it again

Support your POA with evidence, screenshot updates, revised listings, or supplier documentation. Don’t copy templates you find online. Use your voice and speak clearly about your Bronx-based shop.

You can also respond confidently to formal copyright demand letters by knowing what documentation and steps matter most.

If your account doesn’t get reinstated, you may need to open a new one. That means a fresh email, business name, and product catalog. Rebuilding is hard, but not impossible.

Plenty of Bronx sellers have come back stronger. So can you.

Get Support From Attorneys Who Know E-Commerce

If you’re dealing with repeat infringement notices, you don’t have to keep guessing. At Horn Wright, LLP, we help Bronx Etsy, Amazon, and Shopify sellers protect what they’ve built. Whether you need help with takedowns, reinstatement, or ongoing compliance, our team can step in and fight for your business. You can also protect your site content when others misuse your web materials. Reach us directly and we’ll take that stress off your shoulders, so you can focus on what you do best.