TRO Response and Unfreezing Funds
Short answer: a TRO is a US court order, not a platform letter, so ignoring it does not make it go away — the account balance stays frozen and default usually follows. Most cases end in settlement; a defence makes sense when the claim is weak, the frozen amount is large, or the accusation is factually wrong about your product. Move on the day you are served, because the deadlines are usually 14-21 days.
How we work
Identify the plaintiff, the asserted right, the defendants named and the exact deadline set by the court
Preserve listing history, purchase records, supplier invoices, and any licence or authorisation you relied on
Check whether the trademark or copyright is valid, registered in the relevant country, and actually covers what you sold
Settlement for speed and cost control, a responsive filing for a defensible case, an exit where the exposure exceeds the balance
Get the release order and confirm the platform unfreezes, then fix the supply chain so the same claim cannot recur
What you need to prepare
- The complaint, TRO and any order to show cause
- Account statements showing the frozen balance
- Listing and sales records for the accused ASINs
- Supplier invoices and authorisation documents
- Corporate details of every named defendant
Frequently asked questions
Can I just ignore it and hope it passes?
No. The order continues against the account and the balance. Default judgment is entered if nobody appears, and the money is then transferred rather than merely held. Responding is what converts an open-ended freeze into a bounded negotiation.
Settlement or defence — how do I choose?
Compare the frozen amount, the strength of the plaintiff's right, and whether your product actually falls inside it. Settlement is normally the cheaper option when the mark is valid and the use is obvious. Defence pays when the registration is weak or non-use vulnerable, when your goods are outside the claimed scope, or when the freeze is disproportionate to the claim.
How do I stop being sued again next quarter?
Clear the supply chain — buy only from suppliers who can document rights, keep invoices linked to each purchase, drop listings that trade on someone else's mark, and register your own marks and designs so you are the party with the enforceable right.
Want an assessment first?
Tell us the product and target marketplaces and we will give you a registrability opinion, a realistic timeline and a cost breakdown. Files can be submitted within 48 hours of confirmation.
