Hi everyone,
I’m hoping someone here has experience with this or can point me in the right direction.
My current Shopify store, Stonebrook Studio, received a termination notice because Shopify identified it as connected to a previously terminated store that was under my historical ownership.
The previous store was operated through a sole proprietorship (single-owner business structure) and was terminated due to repeated intellectual property infringement.
However, my current business is fundamentally different.
Stonebrook Studio operates as a separate incorporated company (Dutch BV, similar to a private limited company / LLC-style structure) with:
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Separate legal registration
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Separate business bank account
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Separate administration and operations
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Different products
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Original branding and business identity
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No intellectual property complaints
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Clean compliance history
I submitted an appeal explaining this, but Shopify rejected it based on the ownership connection and stated that when a store is terminated for repeat infringement, all connected stores may also be terminated.
I understand Shopify’s need to enforce IP policies, but I’m trying to understand whether there is any legitimate path for a separately incorporated business with its own clean compliance record to receive an independent review.
So far I have:
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Submitted the original appeal
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Received rejection
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Replied directly to the Trust & Safety ticket requesting senior review / escalation
My questions:
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Has anyone here successfully resolved a similar ownership-link termination issue?
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Is there any formal escalation path beyond the initial Trust & Safety appeal?
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Have Shopify Partners, Merchant Trust contacts, or legal escalation channels helped in cases like this?
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If the current business is legally separate, is there any precedent for reconsideration?
I’m looking for legitimate guidance from anyone who has actually dealt with something similar.
Thanks in advance.