By Dave Sebastian

Amazon.com Inc. said it has started a program that connects small- and medium-sized businesses in Canada with certain intellectual-property law firms charging reduced fees.

The e-commerce company said its Intellectual Property Accelerator is available to any brand selling on Amazon's platforms. That includes 30,000 Canada-based third-party sellers, said Mary Beth Westmoreland, vice president of brand protection at Amazon.

Amazon said the program could help connect businesses with lawyers to obtain trademarks, protect their brands and tackle infringing goods. The program also provides the businesses with early access to Amazon's brand-protection tools, the company said.

Amazon said it started IP Accelerator in the U.S. in 2019 and has expanded to Europe, Japan and India. The company said it doesn't charge sellers to use the program, and that the businesses would pay the law firm directly.

The company said participating law firms include Bereskin & Parr LLP, Brouillette Legal Inc., Chari Prenol Slaney & Turco, Clancy PC, JZC Intellectual Property Law, Kestenberg Siegal Lipkus LLP, Palmer IP and Ridout & Maybee LLP.

Write to Dave Sebastian at dave.sebastian@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-26-21 0631ET