BrandShield: How to Take Down Fake Merchandise — From Detection to Enforcement

Counterfeit merchandise has become a worldwide epidemic, affecting industries from fashion and electronics to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. According to the OECD, fake goods now account for over $467 billion in global trade — eroding trust, harming consumers, and undermining brand value.

For companies, the cost is significant: lost revenue, reputational damage, and customer confusion. Beyond financial loss, counterfeit networks are often linked to organized crime and unethical labor practices — turning brand protection into both a business and moral imperative.

To combat this, brands must act quickly and systematically — detecting, reporting, and enforcing their rights across every digital channel.

How to Spot Fake Merchandise

1. Packaging Inconsistencies

Authentic brands maintain consistent, high-quality packaging. Counterfeits often reveal telltale signs — spelling errors, low-resolution images, flimsy materials, or missing security features such as holograms or embossed logos.

2. Pricing Anomalies

“Too good to be true” pricing is a major red flag. Counterfeiters attract unsuspecting buyers with deep discounts before platforms detect their listings.

3. Unofficial Sellers

Unverified or unauthorized sellers, particularly on unfamiliar marketplaces or social media, are common sources of counterfeits. Brands should monitor who is selling their products and where.

From Detection to Enforcement: The Five-Step Process

Step 1: Document the Evidence

Collect screenshots, URLs, dates, seller details, and communication records. Clear documentation strengthens your legal case and accelerates enforcement.

Step 2: Identify Jurisdiction and Platform

Different platforms have unique reporting procedures. Determine whether the violation occurs on Amazon, TikTok, Instagram, or an independent site — and act through the correct legal and enforcement channels.

Step 3: Contact the Seller and Platform

Notify the seller of the violation and file an official report using the platform’s IP protection portal. If you’re using BrandShield, these actions are automated within the enforcement dashboard.

Step 4: Escalate if Needed

If no action is taken, escalate to legal or regulatory authorities. BrandShield supports this with ready-to-use case files and enforcement templates.

Step 5: Monitor and Prevent Recurrence

Continue to track the seller and related listings. Counterfeiters often reappear under new names — ongoing surveillance is crucial.

How BrandShield Simplifies the Process

As an AI-driven platform, BrandShield — distributed by Softprom — manages the full lifecycle of brand protection: detection, enforcement, and monitoring.

AI-Powered Monitoring

BrandShield scans marketplaces, social networks, app stores, and websites to detect and cluster related threats. Using machine learning, it uncovers hidden counterfeit networks that manual methods often miss.

Automated Takedowns

Once threats are identified, the system automatically initiates removal requests and tracks progress in real time — saving teams countless hours.

Counterfeit Intelligence & Alerts

BrandShield provides insights into recurring offenders, regional risks, and emerging patterns, helping brands act proactively instead of reactively.

Best Practices for Long-Term Brand Protection

• Establish a clear brand protection policy across legal, marketing, and e-commerce teams.
• Register trademarks and IP assets globally to simplify enforcement.
• Monitor high-risk platforms daily with automated alerts and dashboards.
• Educate consumers on how to identify genuine products and report counterfeits.
• Adopt authentication technologies such as QR codes, holograms, or NFC tags.

Conclusion

Counterfeit prevention is not just about protecting products — it’s about defending your reputation, your customers, and your bottom line.

With BrandShield’s AI-powered protection platform, distributed by Softprom, brands can automatically detect, report, and remove fake merchandise across digital ecosystems — from marketplaces and social media to the dark web.

Get a free brand audit today and discover how BrandShield can help you detect counterfeits faster, enforce your rights efficiently, and secure your brand globally.