Protect your product information for brands

Selected brand owners and official distributors have the possibility to gain control over the product information for their own branded products. This product information can then no longer be changed by a third party through product information protection. This ensures that branded products are highlighted in the same way everywhere. This is useful, because millions of customers now shop at bol and therefore also come into contact with branded products. Currently, only the product description, title and specifications are protected. The same is true for images, however, other providers can still add them as well.

Your benefits at a glance

• Regular checks on product information are a thing of the past.
• Your brand is highlighted everywhere in the same way, making it logically presented.
• Your registration as a brand owner enables us to act more quickly in case of problems.

How to know if this is something for you

Protection of product information has its advantages. Just keep in mind that product information that you have ever provided for your branded products – including product information that is not shown – will automatically appear on the website with retroactive effect. This protection of product information applies to all your branded products. So also for articles that you may not sell yourself anymore, but other parties do. This product information must also be current and correct.

When is product information protection not a useful option for you?

• Your brand is part of bol Brand Collaboration Service, because when product information is protected, the content can only be modified by you.
• If the product information that was once submitted to bol is not up to date and you have no room to update it. It is therefore possible, for example, that titles from two years ago are shown, if this is the last title that was delivered from your supplier account.

Here’s what you need to comply with

Items are offered according to our standard brand guidelines, with the 3 most important conditions below:

1. EAN – Every branded article should have an EAN number. This EAN number should be registered with GS1 in the name of the brand owner. This number ensures that the article is unique from any other article.
2. Brand register – A branded article may only be offered if it is actually a branded article. In other words, an article of a trademark registered with BOIP, under the class belonging to the product type. The BOIP trademark register may also contain a reference to the WIPO (internationally recognised) or EUIPO (European recognised) register. This reference is also sufficient.
3. Trademark visibility – The trademark can be seen on the original product packaging or on the article itself. In addition, it is visible on one or more product images on the bol product page.

How to register

1. Check that all product information is current and correct for your items.
2. Complete the registration form below.
3. If you are an official distributor, the Bill of Authority must be signed by the brand owner and yourself. Upload this in the registration form.
4. Indicate whether you want to use protection over your product information.
5. Within 5 working days you will receive confirmation and you will be all set!

Do you still have questions about this? Take a look at our frequently asked questions or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

How can I be sure that I am a trademark owner and may use protection for product information?

• You are a trademark owner and you are registered with the BOIP trademark register. This register may also contain a reference to the WIPO (internationally recognised) or EUIPO (European recognised) register, this reference is also sufficient.
• You are an official distributor and can prove this by having the trademark owner sign our Bill of Authority. Upload the Bill of Authority signed by you and the brand owner during the registration process.

Can multiple distributors share the rights for 1 brand?

It is not possible to share product information rights among multiple distributors. This means that only one Bill of Authority can be valid per brand owner.

Can I offer my items with only class 35 as a trademark?

No, Class 35 is only suitable for offering services. To take advantage of protection for product information and register as a trademark, you need to register all classes for the items you sell. In doubt about this? Then contact your trademark office.

Which product information is protected?

Currently, the product description, title and specifications are protected. In the future, product images will be added to this.

Can I also protect my product images?

For now, we are very happy that we can already do this first step and product description, title and specifications can be protected. On the backend, we are working to make this possible for product images as well. The expectation is to make this possible before the end of this year. As soon as this is in place, we will let you know.

What happens if I do not comply with the conditions for trademark registration?

When you register your trademark with bol, you agree to the conditions and indicate that you meet the requirements. If this turns out not to be the case in practice, this can obviously have consequences for cooperation on product information. In addition, policy points may be deducted based on the nature of the offence.

Does registration in the trademark database prevent other sellers from selling my trademark?

No, third parties can still sell your trademark. The trademark registration and registration only ensures that your product information is protected on bol.

My trademark registration is about to expire, what should I do before my registration expires?

A trademark registration with BOIP is valid for 10 years, but you can renew the registration for an unlimited number of 10-year periods. More information on this can be found here.

How much time does it take to process my application?

This takes approximately 5 working days.

The product information for my (brand) items has changed, my old product information is suddenly visible. How is that possible?

As of now, official distributors and brand owners have the right to protect their product information from third parties. This means that you also have the first right to provide product information for your branded articles on bol. As a result, your previously entered product information will be visible again. A great opportunity to check the product information and make use of this advantage. Bol does reserve the right to change product information as stated in the General Terms and Conditions.

Can other parties still sell my product?

Yes, product information protection only affects product information. This does not give you the exclusive right to offer articles.

Why does the product information not come through for my package sizes?

If you ship your items via Logistics via bol or they have ever been shipped via Logistics via bol, the product specifications ‘Length’, ‘Width’ and ‘Height’ are fixed by our warehouse and therefore cannot be adjusted. Please contact Partnerservice if this still needs to be adjusted.