50 Anti Copying in Design (ACID) could never have predicted 12 months ago the steps forward that would be made with global marketplace giant, TEMU. Following meeting at Spring Fair 2025, ACID arranged subsequent engagement with TEMU where a focus group of ACID members could present their frustrations, challenges and experiences dealing with extensive infringements of their work on TEMU’s platform. One year on, it was deeply encouraging to witness the positive mood amongst ACID members towards TEMU’s response to them, which has resulted in considerable reduction of take downs. Not only were exact images being removed, but those very similar or which had been altered were also being identified by TEMU’s increasingly vigilant approaches. Whilst TEMU’s reputation amongst UK designers and creatives is going to remain a challenge for quite some time, their willingness to come to the table is laudable. TEMU was keen to express its desire to prioritise small business support in 2026 and how leveraging relationships with organisations such as ACID is key to making this happen. ACID’s diverse membership benefit from direct access to TEMU’s IP protection team by mentioning they are a member of ACID and providing IP proof such as an ACID IP Databank certificate, means a faster take down and contributing to a proactive IP monitoring system designed to recognise and disable infringements at the point of onboarding. This means far less policing the platform and losing vital time from your business to repeated whack-a-mole reporting of infringements. ACID members testified that they receive a great deal of direct support as a result of this ACID/TEMU relationship. More IP needs to be shared, more evidence of ownership needs to be actively recorded and more images fed into TEMU’s algorithms to ensure the copycats now evolving their infringement approaches through AI doctored imagery aren’t getting away with it. On the subject of seller onboarding, and repeat infringer selling, TEMU’s position was also encouraging. Price points have become a key factor in assessing potential infringements, and rights-holders can advise TEMU of their lowest retail pricing to further bolster their brand protection. Any pricing not in accordance with this advice is then fed into an overall monitoring alongside IP. TEMU also actively encourage sharing any information even if an infringement has not occurred, to ensure that they can monitor the marketplace as proactively as possible. So, for anyone bringing new designs to the market in 2026, it is very much worth considering. Of course, the proof of any pudding is in the eating. Concerns remain on the prevalence of copies and fakes on TEMU overall, and the astoundingly low shipping fees offered alongside already miniscule sale prices. ACID understands this is due to a global consolidated shipping approach which is, frankly, impossible for a small UK business to compete with. This crucial point will certainly be on the agenda for future discussions. Ever on the agenda is also the issue of product compliance and the simple truth that fakes and copies are, more than likely, unsafe or non-compliant. TEMU have stated they are focused on raising the bar for product safety across the e-commerce industry, most recently forming a partnership with renowned automotive compliance and testing and certification organisation, DEKRA. ACID understands this partnership joins many other regulatory organisations and is timely since the anticipated changes to EU Toy Safety regulations, which many in the giftware sector will be aware of, will bring far greater requirement for online marketplace transparency. ACID is very encouraged by the level of engagement TEMU have provided. Though many UK designers and creatives will understandably not be joining the TEMU fan club, it is a credit to TEMU that they are willing to talk, accept positive criticism and respond to feedback. ACID urges other marketplaces to come to the table and discuss the challenges faced on their platforms by small businesses, especially those in the gifting and giftware sector. Imagine a world where all online marketplace giants demonstrate a willingness to embrace ethics, compliance and respect in IP! Positive engagement ACID & TEMU: Talking Productively, Taking Down Proactively To find out more, visit www.acid.uk.com ACID
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