Vorys Amazon IP Complaint Letter? Here’s How Sellers Should Respond
Introduction
You just received a cease and desist letter or takedown notice from Vorys law firm. Maybe Amazon pulled your listing without warning. Maybe a brand you’ve never directly communicated with is threatening legal action.
You’re probably thinking:
“Can they actually do this?”
“Why did Amazon remove my product?”
“Am I going to lose my account?”
“Do I need to respond — or just ignore it?”
If you’re here, you’re not alone. We’ve helped hundreds of sellers navigate this exact scenario. Below is straightforward legal guidance on what to do — and not do — if you’ve been hit with a Vorys Amazon IP complaint.
Who Is Vorys and Why Are They Targeting Amazon Sellers?
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP is a large law firm hired by brands to control unauthorized resellers on Amazon. These brands use Vorys to:
Send cease and desist letters to Amazon sellers
File intellectual property complaints (often without proof of infringement)
Pressure Amazon to suspend sellers for alleged violations
Scare sellers into removing listings voluntarily
If you’re a third-party seller — especially in health, beauty, supplements, apparel, or electronics — Vorys may allege that your sales violate:
Trademark rights
Material difference doctrines
Authorized reseller policies
Minimum advertised pricing (MAP) rules disguised as legal claims
Important: Vorys often uses aggressive tactics based on distribution control, not actual IP violations.
Step 1: Don’t Panic — But Don’t Ignore It Either
Amazon sellers often ask:
“Can I just ignore the letter?”
You could — but here’s what might happen:
Amazon may deactivate your listing based on the IP complaint
Your account health could drop, putting your selling privileges at risk
Vorys might escalate to arbitration or federal litigation if you’re a high-volume seller
We’ve seen sellers who ignored a Vorys letter get hit with a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in federal court — resulting in frozen funds and account lockdowns.
Step 2: Analyze the Complaint
Read the letter closely. It may include:
Claims of unauthorized distribution
Allegations of trademark infringement
References to warranties, product quality, or “material differences”
Demands to remove your listing or stop selling the product
Threats of further legal action or arbitration
Ask yourself:
Are you selling genuine products?
Did you source them from a legitimate supplier?
Is there any modification or repackaging that could raise concerns?
Are you listing the product under the correct ASIN and brand?
If the answer to these questions is yes, you may have a solid defense.
Step 3: Do Not Respond Emotionally or Admit Liability
Avoid common seller mistakes, such as:
Writing a defensive or angry reply
Admitting wrongdoing without legal review
Voluntarily removing listings without confirming the claims
Ignoring a complaint that’s already been filed in Amazon’s system
Instead, take time to assess the situation and consider next steps with legal guidance.
Step 4: Decide on a Strategic Response
There are several response paths depending on your situation:
✅ Option 1: Respond Directly to Vorys
If the claim is weak or clearly based on distribution (not actual infringement), you can:
Provide documentation (e.g., invoices, distributor agreements)
State your lawful right to resell under the first-sale doctrine
Request clarification on the nature of the complaint
Ask whether the brand is willing to settle or retract
Sometimes this professional, evidence-backed approach stops further action.
✅ Option 2: File a Counter Notice with Amazon
If your listing was removed due to a copyright or trademark complaint, and you believe it was a false claim, you may be able to submit a counter notice under Amazon’s dispute process — but only if you’re confident in your legal position.
✅ Option 3: Prepare for Legal Escalation (TRO Risk)
If Vorys has already filed a lawsuit naming multiple Amazon sellers (common in counterfeit or gray market product cases), you’ll need legal counsel to:
Challenge the complaint
Avoid a default judgment
Request a release of your frozen funds
Petition for dismissal if wrongly named
At AmazonSellersLawyer.com, we’ve successfully helped sellers avoid escalation, negotiate retractions, and win account reinstatements after Vorys IP complaints.
Final Thoughts: Should You Hire a Lawyer?
If your Amazon account is flagged, your funds are frozen, or you’re included in a mass enforcement action, this is no longer a routine seller support issue.
You need legal counsel that understands:
Vorys’ enforcement tactics
Amazon’s complaint resolution process
Federal IP litigation
First-sale doctrine and lawful resale rights
If you’re not sure how to respond to Vorys, don’t wait until Amazon acts — reach out for a legal review and take back control of your listings.