Twenty One Pilots sue Temu over “blatant copies” of merchandise

Twenty One Pilots have accused Temu of selling counterfeit merchandise in a new trademark infringement lawsuit filed against the online retailer.

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Court documents seen by Billboard and Rolling Stone describe a series of listings on the website for allegedly fake Twenty One Pilots merch, including posters, shirts, mugs and socks. As the suit notes, some of these items appear to be exact replicas of items currently up for sale on the band’s website.

The complaint claims that Twenty One Pilots’ trademarks “have been damaged and put at risk by Temu’s knowing and systematic marketing and sale of counterfeit versions,” which the suit described as “confusingly and/or virtually identical to” their own trademarked materials.

Twenty One Pilots’ lawyers went on to call the Chinese e-commerce giant, which is well known for its exceedingly low prices, a “veritable swamp of infringing and otherwise illegal products.” They said it manufactured and sold “a myriad of items that are counterfeit or blatant copies of [the bands’] artwork, trademarks, and intellectual property.”

As noted by Billboard, Twenty One Pilots’ new allegations extend beyond intellectual property, with lawyers alleging that the company has sold toxic lead products, as well as items that are the result of forced labour, and aided the Chinese Communist Party.

The suit also alleges Temu has sold items tied to “homophobia, inciting violence, and violent criminal gang activity,” highlighting an image of a shirt reportedly promoting the gang MS-13, as well as another emblazoned with text that read: “I’m Violently Homophobic.”

“The above are two representative examples of the type of product Temu markets and sells and reflect only the tip of the iceberg,” Twenty One Pilots’ lawsuit says. It’s currently unclear what damages they’re seeking.

Rolling Stone noted that the company had not immediately responded to requests for comment, and Temu have not yet responded to the allegations.

News of the suit comes shortly before the band’s forthcoming album ‘Breach’ arrives this Friday (September 12).

Fans outside the US can get involved in global listening parties where they can hear the new record early in independent record stores. You can find out more about which stores are participating here.