April 18, 2026 | Global IP Report
With the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce, platforms such as Amazon,
Shein, and TikTok Shop have become important channels for global commodity circulation.
However, copyright infringement has become a frequent problem in this field, with a surge
in infringement cases involving printed works, images, and design works in 2026. For
cross-border sellers and creators, understanding the common copyright infringement risks
in international markets and mastering scientific international enforcement methods is crucial
to avoiding legal disputes, protecting brand interests, and achieving sustainable operation.
A core misunderstanding in cross-border e-commerce is the neglect of the territoriality of
copyright protection and the particularity of national laws. According to the
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) guidelines, there is no "global unified
copyright" that can automatically protect works in all countries; protection in a specific
country depends on the national laws of that country. For example, in early 2026, 279
cross-border sellers were sued by a British artist in the Western District of Pennsylvania,
USA, for printing the artist’s copyrighted works on clothing, mobile phone cases and other
products without authorization, resulting in store closures and asset freezes. This case warns
that even minor modifications to copyrighted works do not exempt sellers from infringement
liability.
Common copyright infringement risks in cross-border e-commerce mainly include three types:
unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted works (such as using paintings, photos and other
works as product prints without permission), unauthorized use of copyrighted content in
product detail pages, and infringement of software copyrights in intelligent products. It is
worth noting that many sellers mistakenly believe that "copyright protection requires formal
registration", but according to the Berne Convention, copyright protection is automatic once the
work is created, and registration is not a prerequisite for protection, although voluntary
registration can provide stronger evidence in infringement disputes.
For cross-border operators, mastering international copyright enforcement methods is the key
to safeguarding their rights. First, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive copyright search
before selecting product materials, and avoid using works from unknown sources. Professional IP
service platforms like IPcrossark can provide global copyright search services, helping sellers
identify potential infringement risks in advance. Second, when encountering infringement, sellers
can initiate rights protection procedures through local copyright offices or courts, such as applying
for temporary restraining orders (TRO) to stop infringement in a timely manner. In addition, actively
cooperating with cross-border e-commerce platforms to submit rights protection materials can
also quickly remove infringing products.
Against the background of increasingly strict global copyright protection, cross-border e-commerce
operators must establish a sense of copyright compliance. By standardizing the use of works,
conducting regular infringement self-inspections, and mastering scientific rights protection methods,
they can effectively avoid infringement risks, protect their own legitimate rights and interests, and
promote the healthy development of cross-border e-commerce.
● IPcrossark : https://www.ipcrossark.com/
● WIPO Copyright Protection Guidelines:https://www.wipo.int/zh/web/copyright/protection
● U.S. Copyright Office International Copyright Relations Guide: https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ38a.pdf
