A counterfeit listing came back after a takedown: what to do
TL;DR
- When a removed counterfeit listing comes back, report the new listing on its own: a takedown removes the reported content, not every future copy from the same seller.
- Mention the earlier report when you file. eBay, Etsy, Shopify and Temu each say they act against repeat infringers, up to closing the account or store.
- A copyright removal can also come back legitimately after a counter-notice, if you do not start a court action within the platform's window (10 business days on eBay and Etsy, 10 to 14 on Shopify).
- Next step: keep a dated log of every report, and search for your products by photo as well as by name, because relisted copies often drop the brand name.
A relisted counterfeit is a listing you had removed that reappears, from the same seller under a new listing, from a new account, or as the same content restored after a counter-notice. Each is handled differently. This page covers how to tell which one you are looking at, what Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify and Temu say they do about repeat infringers, and how to report so a pattern is visible.
What you'll need
- Your earlier report: the date, the platform's reference number and the listings you reported.
- The new listing URLs and dated screenshots of each.
- What links the new listing to the old one: the same photos, the same seller name or storefront, the same wording or the same price.
- Any counter-notice you received, if the platform sent you one.
The platform rules on this page come from each platform's own pages, checked 16 October 2026.
Work out which kind of relist it is
| What you see | What happened | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Your exact content is back on the same listing | Probably restored after a counter-notice to a copyright report | Check your email for the counter-notice; only a court action within the window keeps it down |
| Same seller, new listing | The seller relisted after removal | Report the new listing and cite the earlier report; the platform's repeat-infringer policy applies |
| New seller or store, same photos or product | A new account, or a different seller copying the same product | Report it as a new case; note the shared photos or details so the platform can link the accounts |
| Same product, your name removed | A lookalike that avoids name searches | Report on the copied photos (copyright) or the product design; search by image to find more |
What each platform says about repeat infringers
- eBay: sellers with repeated IP violations 'may face further action, including selling restrictions or account suspension', and eBay does not allow a counterfeit to be relisted. See our eBay VeRO guide.
- Etsy: terminates selling privileges for repeat infringers 'in appropriate circumstances and at Etsy's discretion', may refuse service if they open a new shop, and applies this to associated accounts. See our Etsy guide.
- Shopify: terminates stores for repeat infringement 'in appropriate circumstances', and says this extends to every store the same infringer runs. See our Shopify guide.
- Temu: says it terminates repeat infringers 'in appropriate circumstances'.
- TikTok Shop: says repeated offences or selling counterfeits 'could lead to account deactivation'. See our TikTok Shop guide.
- Amazon: says that when it accepts a notice it removes the content, tells the sellers and takes 'appropriate action', without sharing details of action that is not public. Brands in Brand Registry who qualify for Project Zero can remove counterfeit listings themselves without filing a report. See our Amazon guide.
None of these platforms publishes how many reports it takes before an account is closed, so do not count on a threshold. Report every relist. Each accepted report adds to the record against that seller.
How to report a relisted counterfeit
Received a counter-notice? Go to [the next section](#counter-notices) first.
- 1
Find every copy, not only the one you saw
Search the platform for your brand name and your product type, and run your main product photos through a reverse image search. Copies that drop your name will not show up in a name search.
- 2
Capture the evidence
Dated screenshots of each new listing, with the URL and the seller name visible.
- 3
File a new report for each listing
Use the same route as the first time (VeRO on eBay, Report Infringement or Report a Violation on Amazon, the IP Reporting Portal on Etsy, the IP forms on Shopify). A new listing is new content and needs its own report.
- 4
Say it is a repeat
Where the form has a description field, give the earlier report's date and reference, and what links the new listing to it: same seller, same photos, same wording.
- 5
Log it
Record the date, reference and outcome. A dated log is what lets you show a pattern to the platform, the host or a lawyer.
When a copyright removal comes back after a counter-notice
A seller can answer a US copyright report with a counter-notice. The platform then restores the content after a waiting period unless you tell it you have started a court action:
| Platform | When restored content comes back |
|---|---|
| eBay | After 10 business days, for US copyright reports |
| Etsy | 10 business days after the counter-notice is processed, unless you start a court action or a qualifying Copyright Claims Board action |
| Shopify | Copyright content 'may be reposted' if Shopify hears of no legal action within 10 to 14 business days |
| Amazon | Sellers can appeal or file a counter-notice from their account; Amazon does not publish a waiting period |
Trademark and counterfeit reports on eBay and Etsy have no counter-notice route, though sellers can still appeal. If the goods are fake, a trademark or counterfeit report is often the stronger route for that reason.
Summary
Summary
| Step | Where | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify the kind of relist | Your email and the new listing | Any counter-notice; the earlier report |
| 2. Find every copy | Platform search and reverse image search | Your brand name and best product photos |
| 3. Capture the evidence | Each new listing | Dated screenshots with seller name and URL |
| 4. File a new report per listing | The platform's IP route | The same rights you used the first time |
| 5. Cite the earlier report | The description field | Date, reference and what links them |
| 6. Log the outcome | Your own record | Date, reference, result |
If you would rather have it done for you, Takedown watches for copies after removal, a person checks every match, and our team files again once you approve each case, from $500 a month, month to month: counterfeit listing removal.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the same counterfeit keep coming back?
A takedown removes the content you reported, not the seller's ability to list again. Sellers relist under new listings or new accounts, and copyright content can be restored after a counter-notice. Platforms act against repeat infringers, but none publishes the threshold.
Will the platform ban a seller who keeps relisting?
eBay, Etsy, Shopify, Temu and TikTok Shop all say repeat infringers can lose their selling privileges or accounts. They decide case by case, so report every relist and cite the earlier report.
Do I have to file a new report every time?
Yes. A new listing is new content and needs its own report. Brands in Amazon's Project Zero can remove counterfeit listings themselves, once they qualify.
Should I contact the seller directly?
Etsy suggests contacting the seller first, which sometimes works with a small seller making an honest mistake. With a counterfeiter it rarely does, and the platform's report is the record that counts.
Sources, checked 16 October 2026
- eBay Help: Intellectual property and the VeRO program
- eBay: Verified Rights Owner (VeRO) programme
- Etsy: Intellectual Property Policy
- Etsy: Counter notice policy
- Shopify Help Center: Intellectual property
- Temu: Intellectual property policy
- Amazon Seller Central: Intellectual property for rights owners
- Amazon: Project Zero
Hand it over
Want someone to find the copies and file the reports for you?
Takedown scans for copycat stores, lookalike domains, marketplace listings, impersonating social accounts and conflicting US trademark filings, a person checks every match, and nothing is filed until you approve it. Start with a free 360° report on your brand.
Related
Counterfeit listing removal
We search marketplaces for copies, including after removal, and file after you approve.
How to report infringement on Amazon
The Report Infringement form and Brand Registry.
How to report counterfeits on eBay
VeRO, step by step.
Where to report counterfeits
The official reporting route on every marketplace.