Graphic Designer and artist Lauren Sissons has found herself fighting against e-commerce giant Temu for allegedly stealing her designs.
The Australian entrepreneur designs and prints small cards, notepads, and posters, using her creativity and talent to earn a living.
However, recently, Sissons discovered the exact same designs on the Chinese platform Temu, going for a fraction of the cost.
She believes the retailer is selling her designs without her permission.
Sissons said on her Instagram account, “I’m looking at you Temu. Will continue speaking up on this issue as I believe it is only going to continue to impact artists, small businesses, the environment, and so much more as there is little accountability from these ginormous companies.”
Small businesses don’t stand a chance to take on Temu
Lauren Sissons Studio started off small, but later on (according to her Instagram), she landed a significant contract that allowed her to scale up her production.
As a freelance graphic designer for years, Sissons made all her designs from scratch. Her unique prints have gained attraction across the globe.
One day, she scrolled through Temu and allegedly found the exact same prints on the e-commerce platform.
She reportedly tried to contact the retailer who later removed it. However, just a few days later another of her designs appeared on the same platform.
Can small businesses take legal action against Temu?
Sissons told a media outlet that she feels like someone has been looking at her work in an opportunist way. “Almost like they’re shopping for which design of mine is going to be the most profitable for them.”
According to a legal expert who spoke to A Current Affair, artists were actually “powerless” to stop similar online incidents. Sissons would have to visit China to sort out the dispute.
How can merchants prevent copyright infringement?
It’s easy for entrepreneurs to fall victim to copyright infringements. However, to minimize the risk of being a target, there are a few things to be aware of and avoid.
Locate2u’s CEO, Steve Orenstein, says it’s important that business owners use manufacturers who are trusted by the industry—“not those who would take your design and sell it to others.”
Orenstein says it’s important that sellers differentiate what they are offering the public versus what’s already on retail store’s shelves. “[Look at] for example, the price, quality, or delivery experience.”
NOW READ: More calls for investigations into Temu and Shein
Share this article
About the author
Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
