How to report packaging trademark infringement

What counts as packaging infringement

Not every look-alike is illegal. Generic alternatives, “dupes,” and store-brand versions are usually lawful. Infringement becomes more likely when the packaging is confusingly similar to a protected brand in a way that misleads shoppers about the source of the product.

• Copied trade dress: the overall look of the package — shape, color scheme, layout, cap, or bottle — is so similar that buyers may think it is the original brand.
• Trademarked words or logos: the label uses a registered brand name, stylized logo, or slogan without permission.
• False affiliation claims: the listing or packaging says “compare to [brand]” in a misleading way, or implies an endorsement that does not exist.

Dupe Detective flags visual resemblance. Only the trademark owner or a legal professional can decide whether a specific package crosses the line into infringement.

How to gather evidence

A strong report is built on clear, dated documentation. Before you contact anyone, collect the following:

1. Photos of both products. Front, back, sides, top, and bottom. Include the cap, label, and any batch or lot codes.
2. The exact product names as printed on the packaging and as shown in the online listing.
3. Seller and marketplace information. Store name, seller username, platform, listing URL, and a screenshot with the date visible.
4. Purchase or sighting details. Date, price, order number if you bought it, and the city or website where you saw it.
5. Your original product proof. If you are the brand, include your trademark registration numbers and a photo of your genuine packaging.

Use Dupe Detective for side-by-side proof

Dupe Detective can help you build a visual comparison record. Upload a photo of the suspected copycat and, if it is already in the index, the app will surface the closest matches with a resemblance grade and the specific reasons for the match.

Save the result URL. Every check gets its own result page. That URL becomes a shareable, timestamped piece of evidence showing how the two products compare.

Add the original. If the genuine product is not in the index yet, submit it with the brand’s official product URL. Once verified, future copycat submissions will match against it automatically.

Who to report it to

Start with the fastest, lowest-friction channel. Escalate only if nothing happens.

• 1. The brand itself. Most companies have a customer service or legal/IP email for counterfeit reports. Look for “Report Counterfeit,” “IP Inquiries,” or a brand protection page in the footer of the official website.
• 2. The marketplace. Major platforms have dedicated reporting portals:
  • Amazon — Report a Violation (brand-registered sellers only)
  • eBay — Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) Program
  • Etsy — Intellectual Property Infringement Report
  • TikTok Shop — Intellectual Property Rights portal
  • Meta/Instagram/Facebook — Intellectual Property report forms
• 3. The payment processor. If the seller uses their own checkout, report the infringing store to the card network or payment provider named at checkout.
• 4. Government channels. In the United States, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) accepts reports of online counterfeit sales. You can also contact your state attorney general or consumer protection office.

Report template

Copy and adapt this template when emailing a brand or marketplace. Keep it factual and concise.

What to expect

Brands and marketplaces receive large volumes of reports, so response times vary. Some listings are removed within hours; others take weeks or are never acted on.

Dupe Detective does not file reports, contact sellers, or verify legal claims. We only provide a visual comparison tool that helps you build the evidence you need to file a report yourself or share it with the trademark owner.

If you are a brand looking for ongoing monitoring, you can claim your brand page to receive alerts when look-alikes of your products are submitted.