Seller & listing visibility
Record publicly visible seller details and listings that may relate to the distribution concern.
PARALLEL IMPORT
Bring clarity to grey-market activity.
Understand how genuine products appear outside intended distribution channels and assess the options available for your brand.
The context
Genuine products. Different distribution routes.
Parallel imports generally involve genuine products entering a market through routes outside a brand owner's intended distribution system. That is different from counterfeit activity: the goods may be authentic even when the route or market raises questions for a brand or its distributors.
The options available depend on the destination market, applicable exhaustion rules, product differences and the specific facts. A seller outside an authorized network is not automatically acting unlawfully, and parallel imports are not always lawful or unlawful in every market.
Where to look
Understand the signals behind distribution issues.
Market & product differences
Compare destination markets, product versions and packaging details supplied for review.
Distribution patterns
Consider available information about routes, channels and recurring listing activity.
Evidence for further review
Organize relevant examples and documents to support discussions with distribution or legal specialists.
A considered response
Build context before choosing a next step.
- 01
Observe
Record listings, markets, product versions and seller information that is publicly available.
- 02
Compare
Review product details and the distribution information your organization can provide.
- 03
Assess Next Steps
Consider distributor discussions, relevant platform processes or market-specific legal review.
Prepare for review
What helps clarify a distribution concern?
Sharing clear context helps focus the discussion. You can begin with the information already available to your team.
- Intended markets and distribution channels.
- Product versions and packaging differences.
- Relevant listing URLs.
- Available distributor or reseller information.
- Documents relevant to the issue and market.
Useful context
Frequently asked questions
Every situation depends on the facts, available evidence and the relevant channel or market.
Are parallel imports counterfeit goods?
Not necessarily. Parallel imports commonly concern genuine products sold through alternative routes. A separate review is needed if there is evidence that a product itself may be counterfeit.
Can genuine resale listings always be removed?
No. A listing is not automatically removable because a seller is outside an intended distribution network. Outcomes depend on the market, product facts, rights and applicable platform rules.
Why does the destination market matter?
Rules on intellectual-property exhaustion, imports and resale can differ between markets. Product versions and the circumstances of sale may also affect what options are available.
What information helps assess grey-market activity?
Intended channels and markets, product versions, listing URLs, available seller or distributor information and relevant documents can help build a clearer picture.
Start with clarity
Build a clearer protection strategy.
Tell us about your brand, the issues you’re seeing and the markets that matter to you.
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