Imagine an elegant family gathering where exquisite food is presented on a beautifully designed bamboo serving platter—both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Yet for cross-border e-commerce sellers, this seemingly lucrative "cheese board set" may harbor significant intellectual property risks.
A bamboo serving platter set recently gained attention as a bestseller on Amazon. Marketed as a "Cheese board set," the product functions more as a versatile serving tray suitable for various foods, particularly popular for family gatherings and as gifts among friends. Sales data reveals impressive performance: 5,833 units sold in the past 30 days, averaging nearly 200 daily sales at $39.99 per unit.
Behind this commercial success lies potential legal jeopardy. The product holds U.S. patent protection (No. D939,297), effective since December 28, 2021, filed by Heycart, Inc., whose product is listed under ASIN B07DL7ZV31. This means unauthorized production or sale of similarly designed serving sets constitutes patent infringement.
The patented design features a central food presentation area with three innovative pull-out trays for utensils or small snacks. This distinctive configuration enhances both utility and visual appeal, demonstrating the designer's ingenuity—qualities that secured its legal protection.
For Chinese sellers, while such products may appear easy to replicate, imitation carries severe consequences. Knowingly manufacturing or selling patent-protected designs risks substantial legal penalties, including potential lawsuits with significant financial damages and reputational harm to businesses.
Cross-border sellers should implement several protective measures. First, strengthening intellectual property awareness during product selection—conducting thorough patent searches to avoid infringing items. Second, prioritizing original innovation by analyzing market demands to create distinctive products with unique functionalities. Only through proprietary designs can sellers maintain competitive advantages.
An alternative approach involves negotiating licensing agreements with patent holders. By paying reasonable royalties, sellers can legally produce and distribute authorized versions. This strategy not only mitigates infringement risks but may also benefit from the patent owner's brand recognition to enhance market position.
The bamboo serving set market illustrates broader principles for e-commerce sellers: profitability must align with intellectual property compliance. Sustainable success requires avoiding direct copies of patented goods while cultivating original designs through market research and creative development.
The future of cross-border e-commerce belongs to enterprises that combine innovation with rigorous IP protection. Industry participants must exercise due diligence during product selection to prevent legal disputes, collectively fostering a healthy, orderly global marketplace.