What are your options if your product is copied on Temu? 

Online marketplaces have transformed how businesses reach their customers. Platforms such as Temu, Amazon and Etsy have opened global markets for small brands and independent creators, but they have also created new risks. A growing problem for UK businesses today is the rise of copied designs, imitation products and intellectual property infringement online. 

A recent example of infringement that has been featured in the news, has brought this issue back into focus. Amanda Mountain, co-founder of York based Lola Design, discovered that almost her entire catalogue of artwork, built up over a decade, had been copied and sold by unauthorised sellers on Temu and other online platforms. Many of the imitations used her distinctive designs on low quality materials and were sold at a fraction of the original price. 

For Amanda and many like her, the impact went far beyond lost sales. Seeing years of work reproduced without permission is likely to be both financially damaging and emotionally draining and businesses such as Lola Design are far from alone. 

Fortunately, in this case, Amanda successfully had the infringing listings removed. Her experience shows that whilst discovering copied designs can be distressing, taking action with the right legal support can lead to positive results. 

Intellectual property infringement online is a real concern for UK businesses 

Cases like Amanda’s highlight a challenge that now affects businesses across every sector. What was once a problem faced mainly by creative industries has become a widespread commercial risk for any business with a recognisable product, design or brand. 

As trade has moved online, the scale and speed of infringement have increased. Products can be replicated and listed on multiple platforms within days, often using misleading descriptions and lower quality materials. 

If you think something similar has happened to your business, don’t panic. There are practical steps you can take to have copied products removed and your rights enforced, the key is to act quickly and get the right advice. 

What you can do if someone has copied your designs or products online 

The good news is that businesses are not without options. Most major online marketplaces have systems for reporting and removing listings that breach intellectual property rights, and working with legal experts can make these processes more effective. 

Working with intellectual property solicitors, such as Harper James, can also help you build a proactive strategy. Registering your trade marks and designs, reviewing ownership agreements, and setting up regular monitoring for online sales can all help protect your business before problems arise. 

Jill Bainbridge, Head of Intellectual Property at Harper James comments:  

We are seeing more and more businesses facing issues with copied designs online. What used to be an occasional problem for creative industries is now something almost every growing business has to think about. 

If you think something similar has happened to your business, do not panic. There are practical steps you can take to have copied products removed and your rights enforced, the key is to act quickly and get the right advice. 

Using intellectual property solicitors like Harper James can make all the difference. It helps you deal with the issue properly and shows infringers that you are serious about enforcing your intellectual property rights.