Recommendations of the Editorial team
Twenty One Pilots has sued the online retailer Temu for the sale of fake fan articles. In the trademark lawsuit submitted in court, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun accuse the China-based company, systematically offering plagiarism of their official merchandising products.
According to the application viewed by Rolling Stone, the document contains numerous screenshots from Temu listings. Among them are posters, T-shirts, cups and socks. And those who are either identical to products in the official band shop or use cover and image material. For example the artwork of the 2015 album “Blurryface”.
The lawsuit argues that the band’s trademark rights are “damaged and endangered”. Temu knowingly sells copies that are “confusing and/or almost identical” with the originals. So far, there has been a statement by Temu.
Serious allegations against Temu
The lawyers of Twenty One Pilots go hard with the online retailer. The application states that Temu is “one of the most unethical companies in today’s global market”. Temu is a danger for consumers, markets and the environment.
In addition, reference is made to a complaint recently submitted by Nebraska in which Temu is accused of flooding the USA with cheap products. And also to drive away materials protected by copyright.
The band’s lawyers spoke of a “swamp of hurtful and illegal products”. Temu produces and sells articles that are fake or brazen copies of artwork, logos and intellectual property.
Problem fake merch articles
Fake fan articles have been a problem for artists for decades. In addition to classic counterfeits that are sold on the street in front of concerts, online platforms such as Temu are now also entering this market.
As “Billboard” reports, Merch suppliers from Benson Boone and Tate McRae have recently submitted complaints. The goal: action against fake products. The lawyer Jeff Gluck, who represents Twenty One Pilots in the process, also submitted a similar lawsuit on behalf of the estate of MF Doom against Temu in August.