How to Report Trademark Infringement on Google?
Knowing how to report copyright infringement to Google is a must. Discovering that someone is using your trademark without your permission is not only frustrating, but it is also damaging to your brand. Such things can result in significant damage to your brand reputation and customer trust.
It can be someone utilizing your brand name in Google Ads, misusing your name on YouTube, or selling counterfeit products under your trademark in Google Shopping. If you ever get into this kind of situation, you need to act quickly.
At NonDetected, we have a team of real professionals who can successfully solve the issue, and they are ready to share a few tips and pieces of advice with you. So, you are welcome to get acquainted with them further.
What Does Trademark Infringement Mean?
Trademark infringement occurs when someone utilizes your registered trademark or a confusingly similar mark without your permission, so that it causes confusion among consumers.
When it comes to Google platforms, the issue can take the following forms:
- Unauthorized trademark use in Google Ads;
- Competitors bidding on your trademarked terms;
- Counterfeit products appearing in Google Shopping;
- Trademark violations in Google Play apps;
- Infringing content in Google Search results.
Before you file a Google trademark complaint, you might want to check out a few examples to make sure that your suspicions are true.
Why Does It Matter?
Brand misuse can confuse customers and divert traffic and revenue. Things might get even worse because it can lead to a loss of control over how your brand is perceived.
We have seen companies lose substantial revenue because counterfeit sellers outbid them on Google ads, using trademark keywords. Others have dealt with a situation where social media influencers unknowingly promoted fake versions of their products.
Some brands have even been targeted in reputational attacks, where infringers used logos and trademarks to host fake reviews or defamatory content. This made it almost impossible to control the brand without legal intervention, and this might have real legal consequences as per intellectual property law.
Further, you can find a few cases that should help you understand things better.
Case 1: A Brand Hijacked in Google Ads
- Situation. A small skincare brand noticed a sharp drop in traffic. Upon investigation, they discovered that a competitor was running Google Ads using their brand name as a keyword.
- Problem. Customers were clicking on the competitor’s ads, thinking they were buying from the original brand. It led to numerous refund requests, complaints, and damaged trust.
- Solution. The brand filed a trademark complaint via Google’s Legal Help page, specifically using the Trademark Complaint Form. Within seven business days, Google removed the infringing ads.
- Lesson. You should always monitor how your brand name appears in Google Ads and take screenshots as evidence before you file a report.
Case 2: Counterfeit Products on Google Shopping
- Situation. An electronics company found unauthorized third-party sellers that offered knock-off versions of their products on Google Shopping.
- Problem. These counterfeits significantly harmed their reputation because they triggered a flood of negative reviews, also known as reviews bombing.
- Solution. The company submitted a detailed trademark infringement complaint, including product URLs, screenshots, and their registered trademark number. Google reviewed and removed the listings under its counterfeit goods policy.
- Lesson. You should always be thorough because the more specific your documentation is, the faster Google can take action.
Case 3: Impersonation in a Business Listing
- Situation. A startup in the wellness industry noticed a suspicious Google Business Profile using its brand name in a different city.
- Problem. The impersonator was promoting services under the company’s name, which led to customer confusion and false bookings.
- Solution. By reporting the fraudulent profile through Google Maps’ support and submitting a legal complaint, the company had the listing taken down within two weeks.
- Lesson. Trademark abuse is not limited to ads or content because it can show up in Google Business listings. That is why you should monitor regularly.
A Detailed Guide to Reporting Trademark Infringement on Google
As mentioned before, at NonDetected, we have outstanding professionals who know how to report copyright infringement Google successfully. So, you can find a few valuable tips from them.
Verify Your Trademark Status. Are You the Real Trademark Owner?
Before you start filing complaints, you should make sure that your basics are covered. It means that you need to register your trademark with official authorities, as well as that your ownership is ready to go.
Find the Right Reporting Channel
The thing is that Google has different forms for different types of infringement, and if you use the right one, you will save time and get results faster.
Unlike DMCA takedown notices, in the case of Google Ads issues, for example, Google handles two main kinds of complaints: someone utilizing your trademark directly or competitors bidding on your trademark as a keyword. For app-related trademark issues, you need to find the Google Play Legal Removal Request form and select the “Trademark” option.
Then, you need to provide information about the problematic app, take clear screenshots showing where and how they are using your mark, and upload your trademark registration documents.
Gather Your Evidence of Trademark Violations
When it comes to Google trademark complaints, you need to make sure that you include clear images that show the infringement and screenshots that capture the context of how your brand is being misused.
Your trademark registration certificate and number are essential, along with proof of when you first utilized the trademark commercially. A straightforward explanation of why this use damages your rights will significantly strengthen your case.
File a Strong and Clear Complaint
When you are filling out those Google forms, you should keep things both straightforward and thorough. You should also make sure that your contact details are correct for follow-up. It is critical to be honest in all your declarations, as false claims can backfire and potentially undermine your legitimate complaints.
Wait for a Response From Google
After completing the trademark report form and submitting your complaint, patience becomes your next strategy.
Google typically reviews trademark infringement reports within 5-7 business days, but complex cases might take longer. During this period, you should avoid sending duplicate complaints because this can actually slow down the process. Y
ou will get an email confirmation when your complaint is received, and there will also be updates as Google investigates. If Google needs additional information, they will reach out through the contact details you provided.
Expert Tips for Successful Trademark Enforcement on Google
Here are a few additional tips that should help you cope with the brand infringement Google issues successfully, as it can be a time consuming process.
- You should maintain consistent monitoring. It is a great idea to create Google Alerts for your trademark terms and search for your brand online regularly. You can also utilize monitoring services for comprehensive coverage and document all infringements as soon as you notice them.
- Enforcement actions must be prioritized. The truth is that not all infringements are equally damaging, so you need to focus first on direct competitors and cases where your exact mark is being utilized.
- You should be thorough in the documentation. Google review teams have to process numerous complaints on a daily basis, so you should introduce organized evidence and highlight the most obvious violations.
- It is critical to understand Google’s trademark policies. The thing is that Google trademark policy comes with a few important limitations. In many regions, for example, Google allows bidding on trademark terms as keywords. Also, resellers and informational websites might have certain rights to reference your trademark.
- You should follow up appropriately. If your first complaint does not solve the problem, you should provide additional evidence and consider direct outreach to the infringing party. It is also a good idea to ask for help from a professional agency, such as NonDetected.
When Google`s Process Might Not Be Enough
In spite of your efforts, Google`s standard procedures might fail to fully resolve the issue of trademark infringement, especially if the infringing content is on an informational site . This can happen for a few reasons:
- Complex cross-border enforcement issues.
- Sophisticated infringers use technical workarounds.
- Limitations in Google’s enforcement policies.
- High volume of recurring infringements.
In these cases, you may need specialized assistance to protect your trademark rights effectively, and NonDetected is always there to cope with them.
Our team of specialists has extensive experience in removing trademark infringements from Google and assisting advertisers on other online platforms.
With NonDetected, you can access the following offers:
- Comprehensive trademark monitoring services.
- Expert assessment of potential infringements.
- Custom enforcement strategies that are tailored to your specific situation.
- Direct communication with platforms on your behalf.
- Ongoing protection to prevent future violations.
You should never let trademark infringers damage your brand reputation and business. Instead, you can send us your free inquiry today and allow our experts to help you remove trademark infringement from the web efficiently and effectively.
Ready to Start with your First Google Trademark Complaint?
Google report copyright infringement is frustrating, but it can be managed with the right strategy. You should act quickly, document everything, and utilize the proper channels. Our guide and tips that are offered here can be extremely helpful.
At the same time, this kind of issues must be solved quickly, and you might need a lot of time to figure things out. Hiring experts from NonDetected can be the right solution because we know all the ins and outs on how to remove information from the Internet.With our assistance, the problem will be resolved professionally and quickly.
