A marketplace, an app store or another platform has removed your company’s listings or blocked the seller account, often after a complaint by an alleged rights holder over a trademark, design or copyright. Every day costs revenue.
What matters now
- Platforms generally have to give reasons for blocks and offer an internal complaint procedure. This route is often the fastest and should be used carefully and with evidence.
- Look closely at the alleged rights holder’s complaint: who is complaining, which right do they rely on, is it affected at all?
- Unjustified complaints can in turn give rise to claims against the complainant, for example for injunctive relief and damages.
- Compile evidence of your own entitlement: supply chains, licences, your own IP rights, manufacturer invoices.
- Document the communication with the platform; meet the platform’s deadlines.
Documents I need
- the platform’s notice with date and case number
- the rights holder’s complaint, if disclosed
- evidence of origin and rights: invoices, licence agreements, trademark and design registrations
- revenue figures before and after the block, if damages are to be claimed
Next steps
Send me the documents by email to kanzlei@bauer.legal or use the appointment request, and mention any deadline that is running. I usually reply within one working day and let you know how things can proceed. You can write to me in English or German. If the deadline is close, it is best to call: +49 33365 784007. How we work together and how fees are charged is explained under How we work together.
More: Intellectual property, Unfair competition law.
This page gives a general overview of German law and does not replace advice on the individual case.