Online shopping has become increasingly popular in recent years. E-commerce sales surpassed $6.5 trillion in 2023 and are expected to total over $8.1 trillion by 2026. Convenience of product variety and online competition have contributed to this trend, as many retailers have also expanded their online presence to meet the growing demand for virtual shopping experiences. Ten years ago, for example, retail leader H&M had physical stores in 83% of its target markets. Today, 78% of its target markets feature a combination of both offline and online stores. The spike in online shopping means more merchants and more transactions via online marketplaces, exposing e-commerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba to increased potential liability for intellectual property violations.

Originally published in Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine - June/July 2024.