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Impersonation Pages vs. Trademark Misuse: How to Choose the Right Report Type

January 8, 2026 · Shieldify IP Advisory · 1 min read

Impersonation Pages vs. Trademark Misuse: How to Choose the Right Report Type cover image

Many teams lose time because they report the right issue in the wrong policy lane.

Define impersonation first#

Impersonation usually involves pretending to be the brand, support staff, or executives.

Define trademark misuse#

Trademark misuse focuses on unauthorized use of protected marks in naming, listings, or promotion.

{
  "decisionGuide": [
    {
      "signal": "Page claims to be official support",
      "route": "impersonation"
    },
    {
      "signal": "Seller uses protected brand name in listing",
      "route": "trademark"
    }
  ]
}

Build a routing rule#

Rule example#

  • If identity deception is primary harm: submit impersonation report first
  • If unauthorized mark use is primary harm: submit trademark report

Hybrid incidents are common

Some cases need coordinated submissions in sequence. Start with the highest user-risk signal.

Note

Document the rationale for route selection. This improves internal consistency and reviewer handoffs.

FAQ#

Can we submit both report types?#

Yes, when both violations are present and evidence is clearly segmented.

Which lane is faster?#

Timing varies by platform and queue conditions; quality of evidence remains the key variable.

No. This is operational guidance for platform reporting workflows.