Merchants have long complained that Amazon’s lax policing of counterfeits has cost them sales and compromised their brands, leaving customers to figure out whether the box on their doorstep actually contains what they ordered or a shoddy replica. The retailer aims to fix that – in part by giving brands the power to flag knock-offs and fast-track their removal from its online marketplace.
Amazon on Thursday unveiled “Project Zero,” which will allow taking part brands to use a self-service tool to take down counterfeit listings. The initiative streamlines a process that required brands to make a report, then wait for Amazon to investigate and take action. The tool is currently only available by invite, but Amazon said it plans to open it up to other brands soon.