Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros., and HBO, working in partnership with the Amazon Counterfeit Crimes Unit and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), won a default judgment from the US District Court in Seattle – granting all requested relief – against a network of 22 individuals.
The defendants created 37 fake Amazon seller accounts specifically to distribute counterfeit and infringing DVDs of branded titles. These activities directly violated both the studios’ copyrights and trademarks and Amazon’s policies requiring selling partners to list only legitimate and authentic products in its stores, according to a statement from Amazon.
According to ACE, the court found each defendant individually liable, awarding statutory damages that ranged from thousands to over $1 million per defendant. In addition to monetary relief, the court entered a permanent injunction prohibiting the defendants from selling counterfeit or infringing products in Amazon’s stores.
“(We) will leave no stone unturned in deterring, dismantling, and defeating criminal piracy everywhere,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association and Chairman of ACE. “And this case in which we worked with Amazon is a clear-eyed measure of our commitment to keep that promise and preserve a vibrant marketplace for creators and consumers in the U.S. and across the globe.”
In 2024, Amazon reportedly blocked more than 99% of suspected infringing listings before a brand ever had to find and report them. These tools, such as Amazon’s Brand Registry and Project Zero, helped Amazon identify, seize, and appropriately dispose of more than 15 million counterfeit products worldwide in 2024, preventing them from harming customers or being resold elsewhere in the retail supply chain.
Further reading
Federal Court awards injunction including $7.5 million in damages in counterfeit DVD case. Press release. June 18, 2025. Aliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE)
The latest from Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit: Amazon and Hollywood studios work together to stop DVD counterfeiting ring. June 18, 2025. About Amazon (.com)
Why it matters
In a post on LinkedIn, Amazon VP Dharmesh Mehta noted that “Five years ago … (Amazon) launched CCU to work through the court system and law enforcement to ensure that the bad actors behind these crimes were being held accountable.”
It currently has more than 50 law enforcement agency partnerships in 12 countries and multinational authorities, and has initiated more than 200 civil actions against counterfeit and fraud that has resulted in more than $180 million in court ordered judgments.
“The CCU’s journey showcases the power of combining advanced technology with deep investigative expertise and strategic partnerships. We want our selling partners to know they and their brands are protected,” said Mr. Mehta.
