How a US Auto Parts Manufacturer Secured Multi-Class Trademark Protection to Combat Marketplace Counterfeiting

DNA Motor Inc, operating as DNA Motoring, is a US-based automotive aftermarket manufacturer producing performance exhaust systems, tonneau covers, LED lighting, and a wide range of auto accessories. Despite being an established domestic manufacturer, the brand faced a growing counterfeiting problem on Amazon and other online marketplaces.

• Counterfeit auto parts flood online marketplaces, with unauthorized sellers listing inferior products under the DNA Motoring name. Without registered trademark protection, enforcement options are severely limited.
• The brand's product range spans multiple Nice classes: metal fabrication (Class 6), engine and machinery parts (Class 7), electronic accessories and lighting (Class 9), and floor mats and coverings (Class 27). Partial coverage would leave product lines vulnerable.
• As a B2B and B2C manufacturer, DNA Motoring needed protection for both wholesale distribution channels and direct-to-consumer marketplace sales.
• Counterfeit auto parts pose real safety risks. Substandard exhaust systems, lighting, and engine components can cause vehicle failures and accidents, creating potential liability for the genuine brand.

For an auto parts manufacturer, counterfeiting is a safety problem before it is a brand problem. A counterfeit exhaust or lighting unit sold under the DNA Motoring name can fail on the road, creating liability and eroding the trust the brand built over years with enthusiasts and professional installers.

Four product lines would normally mean four separate applications and four sets of fees. We put DNA Motoring's metal parts, engine components, electronics, and floor mats into one coordinated filing instead.

Once registered, DNA Motoring's single mark will cover all four product lines: body parts, engines, electronics, and floor mats.

With 4-class protection in place, DNA Motoring can now aggressively combat counterfeiting across all online marketplaces. The registration enables Amazon Brand Registry's automated detection tools, customs border enforcement against counterfeit imports, and legal standing to pursue infringers in federal court, a critical capability for protecting both the brand and consumer safety.

"Counterfeit parts with our name on them weren't just hurting our sales. They were putting drivers at risk. The 4-class trademark registration gave us the legal tools to clean up the marketplaces and protect our customers."

Key Takeaways

Need similar protection for your brand?

Whether you're expanding internationally, rebranding, or fighting counterfeiters, a GTC attorney will scope the filing and quote a flat fee before any work begins.

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