Online trademark infringement is not limited to fake accounts or misleading ads. In many cases, it shows up on unauthorized websites or through content that has been copied and republished without permission. Whether the intent is to profit off your name, confuse customers, or undermine your visibility online, this kind of misuse can weaken your brand over time.
At Jafari Law Group, we work with clients to both respond to and prevent online infringement. The key is knowing what to look for and having a plan to act when problems come up.
Website-Based Trademark Infringement and Content Theft
Not all infringement involves a direct copy of your brand name. Sometimes, bad actors create websites that look and feel like your business, using similar layouts, colors, or marketing language to trick users or sell knockoff products.
Other times, the infringement is more subtle. It could involve:
- Copying product names, taglines, or marketing phrases that are protected by trademark
- Using your logo or brand imagery without permission
- Republishing your original content: blog posts, product descriptions, etc. in a way that suggests affiliation
- Creating entire websites around your brand to redirect traffic or damage your search rankings
These tactics can hurt your business’s credibility, siphon off potential customers, and make it harder for legitimate users to find you online.
Example:
A competitor duplicates your product pages, including your brand name and photos, but adds a different logo and links to their own checkout process. Customers may not realize they are not dealing with your company, especially if the site looks convincing.
Proactive Trademark Protection: What You Can Do
If you own a trademark, whether registered or not, you have the right to stop others from using it in a way that creates confusion about the source of goods or services. But you also have to monitor for misuse and take action when needed.
Here are steps you can take to protect your brand online:
1. Monitor Use of Your Brand Name Online
- Set up Google Alerts for your business name and key product names
- Use brand monitoring tools that scan social media, e-commerce platforms, and domains for potential misuse
- Regularly search your trademark on major marketplaces and search engines
2. Document Infringement Clearly
If you find something suspicious, take screenshots and collect URLs. Preserve any evidence that shows confusion or harm, especially if customers have complained or contacted you by mistake.
3. Register Your Trademark (If You Have Not Already)
A registered trademark gives you stronger enforcement tools and allows access to certain reporting features on platforms like Amazon, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), and Google. Without registration, your rights are more limited, especially if the infringer is located outside the U.S.
4. Enforce Your Rights Promptly
In many cases, we can resolve infringement through:
- Cease and desist letters
- Takedown requests with hosting companies, platforms, or search engines
- Complaints under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), if content is copied
- Domain name disputes or formal legal action, depending on the situation
Delaying enforcement can reduce your options.
You Do Not Have to Handle This Alone
Online infringement can be time-consuming and difficult to navigate. Between anonymous accounts, foreign operators, and vague platform policies, it is easy to feel outmatched.
That is where we come in. Jafari Law Group helps business owners across the country monitor, enforce, and protect their trademarks online. We work to remove infringing content, prevent future misuse, and safeguard your brand reputation.
Contact Us for Help with Online Trademark Enforcement
If you have discovered misuse of your brand name, content, or identity on the internet, or if you want to put proactive protection in place, we are here to help.
Schedule a free consultation with Jafari Law Group to discuss your trademark rights and learn how to protect your brand in the digital world.