Getting Started on Amazon: What is IP Accelerator?
So you’ve decided to take your brand to Amazon- great! The first thing you’ll want to do is become a part of Amazon’s Brand Registry, since it will greatly increase your brand’s chances of success.
What is Amazon Brand Registry?
Amazon Brand Registry is a program that unlocks a powerful set of tools that allow brands to perform at a high level in the Amazon universe and beyond. Once your brand is enrolled in the program, you’ll have the ability to build stores, gain a following, seriously increase your marketing, and track sales. Additionally, being enrolled in the program will provide your brand with certain automatic protections against violations to your brand.
Sounds great, right?
There’s just one catch. To be accepted into Brand Registry, you’ll need to trademark your brand, which can be tricky and traditionally takes a long time- around 12 months.
Fortunately for you, Amazon created a solution to this problem- it’s called Amazon IP Accelerator. IP stands for Intellectual Property. The purpose of Amazon IP Accelerator is to help brands that are trying to become a part of Brand Registry “more quickly obtain intellectual property rights and brand protection in Amazon’s stores.”
Amazon connects sellers with a curated list of highly rated, trusted IP law firms that have been selected by Amazon. These firms move at lightning speeds and offer top-notch services at pre-negotiated, competitive rates. Better yet, you can check out reviews of each law firm from thousands of other Amazon sellers when making your selection.
These firms assist you in the process of trademarking your brand, but you don’t need to wait for the entire process to be complete to gain access to Brand Registry. Once Amazon sees that you’ve filed an application through one of their Amazon IP Accelerator firms, you’ll get an invitation to join Brand Registry shortly after.
How much does this cost?
Using the service to find a law firm is free. You will then pay the law firm, at pre-negotiated rates.
Maximum service fees:
$500 – for a search of Trademark Office records, for any conflicting applications or registrations
$1,800 – for “a comprehensive brand review, including Trademark Office records and unregistered uses”
$600 – to file a US trademark application
$275 – government filing fee
While the process of getting your brand trademarked through Amazon IP Accelerator may seem costly, it’s a one-time fee that will likely pay for itself through the result of direct growth of your brand and revenue.
Can I use the law firms for other legal services?
Sure. You’ll be working with a highly rated law firm and may need additional services. While this shouldn’t be a problem, remember that anything beyond the services listed above will be at a fee that is negotiated between you and the firm.
Who can use Amazon IP Accelerator?
Anyone who sells on Amazon, anywhere in the world.
Where can I get started?
Go to Amazon’s IP Accelerator search page to begin your search for a law firm. If you have additional questions, visit Amazon’s IP Accelerator FAQ page or schedule a free consultation with Granitsa E-commerce Solutions today.
