Service details
Amazon TRO Settlement and Frozen Funds Release
A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) means a federal judge has ordered Amazon to freeze your seller account, withhold your funds, and stop you from selling specific items. This happens when a brand accuses you of counterfeiting, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, or patent violations.
Our legal team handles TRO defense and settlement negotiations to get your funds released and your account reinstated as quickly as possible.
- Direct negotiation with opposing counsel for minimum settlement amounts
- Filing answers and motions to dismiss in federal court if necessary
- Securing stipulations of dismissal to release frozen Amazon funds
Processing Time
2 weeks avg. turnaround
Price
USD 2495
Amazon TRO Defense: What a TRO Is (and Why Funds Get Frozen)
A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is a legal injunction issued by a federal judge, usually ex parte (without your prior knowledge), at the request of a brand owner or intellectual property rights holder. When Amazon receives a TRO naming your seller account, they are legally bound to comply immediately.
This compliance involves freezing your seller account, halting all disbursements, and freezing the funds currently in your account. The purpose of the TRO is to prevent the alleged infringer from withdrawing assets or destroying evidence while the underlying lawsuit proceeds. Your funds are essentially held hostage to ensure you answer the complaint and to potentially serve as damages if you lose the case.
What to Do Immediately After Receiving an Amazon TRO
- Do not contact the opposing counsel yourself: Anything you say can be used against you in federal court.
- Save all documentation: Preserve your invoices, supplier communications, and Amazon notices. Do not delete anything.
- Do not ignore the deadline: You typically have exactly 21 days from service to file an answer in federal court before a default judgment is entered against you.
- Hire licensed U.S. attorneys: Only an attorney admitted to the federal court where the lawsuit was filed can officially represent you and negotiate effectively.
Step-by-Step: How Sellers Resolve a TRO & Unfreeze Amazon Funds
Initial Case Review
Our attorneys review the federal complaint, the TRO, and your account status to evaluate the strength of the plaintiff's case.
Evidence Gathering
We compile your invoices, supply chain documentation, and sales history to build your defense.
Strategic Negotiation
We contact opposing counsel to negotiate a settlement based on your actual sales volume of the alleged infringing product, not your total frozen balance.
Settlement Agreement
We draft and review the settlement agreement to ensure it contains a full release of liability and clear terms for dismissing you from the lawsuit.
Notice of Dismissal
The plaintiff files a notice of dismissal in federal court, removing you from the lawsuit.
Amazon Funds Release
We submit the court-stamped dismissal to Amazon's legal department to unfreeze your account and release your funds.
Common Defenses in Amazon TRO Cases
First Sale Doctrine
If you purchased genuine, authentic products legally, you generally have the right to resell them without the brand's permission.
Mistaken Identity
The plaintiff named the wrong seller, or you never actually sold the specific ASINs alleged in the complaint.
Invalid Intellectual Property
The trademark or patent being asserted is invalid, generic, or unenforceable.
Lack of Jurisdiction
The court where the lawsuit was filed does not have proper jurisdiction over you or your business entity.
What Evidence Is Needed to Fight an Amazon TRO?
- Invoices and Receipts: Proof of purchase from legitimate suppliers showing the origin of your goods.
- Sales Reports: Documentation showing exactly how many units of the alleged infringing product you sold (if any).
- Supplier Information: Contact details and verification for your distributors or manufacturers.
- Listing Screenshots: Evidence of how the product was presented on Amazon prior to the suspension.
Negotiating After a TRO
Many plaintiffs use TROs as a tool to extort high settlements from sellers whose entire business funds are frozen. Opposing counsel often demands your entire frozen balance, regardless of how many units of their product you actually sold.
Our attorneys push back. We use your sales data to show the court and opposing counsel that a settlement should be proportionate to the actual alleged infringement—not your total account balance. By demonstrating a willingness and ability to litigate the case in federal court, we force plaintiff's counsel into reasonable settlements.
Legal Costs, "Online Consultation," and DIY Options
Trying to handle a federal lawsuit yourself or using a non-lawyer "consultant" is incredibly risky. Opposing counsel are licensed attorneys who know federal civil procedure; they will not take non-lawyers seriously and will easily secure a default judgment against you.
We offer transparent, flat-fee pricing for TRO defense and settlement negotiation. You know your exact legal costs upfront, allowing you to make an informed business decision about how to proceed.
Why Sellers Choose Amazon Attorney for Amazon TRO Defense
- Licensed U.S. Attorneys: Real lawyers admitted to federal courts, capable of legally representing you in litigation.
- Aggressive Negotiation: We don't just accept the first demand; we fight to protect your frozen funds.
- Speed: We move immediately to contact opposing counsel and start the settlement process before default deadlines hit.
- Amazon Policy Expertise: We know exactly what Amazon needs to see to unfreeze your account once the lawsuit is resolved.
