Anwen Roberts, a small business owner from Caernarfon, was left heartbroken after finding her unique Welsh card designs being sold on the global online marketplace, Temu, without her permission. While Temu acted swiftly to remove the listings, the incident has ignited a conversation about the struggles small creators face in protecting their intellectual property from online giants. This event highlights a growing problem for independent artists in the digital age.
Shock and Disheartenment for a Small Creator
The discovery was a devastating blow for Ms. Roberts, who runs the brand Draenog. She expressed her shock at seeing her hard work replicated exactly and sold on a massive platform.
“They used our exact designs,” she said. “It’s disheartening to see someone else profit from our hard work.” For small business owners like Ms. Roberts, each design represents a significant investment of time and creativity. “We spend weeks, even months, creating something special,” she lamented. “Seeing it copied so quickly is just… painful.”
This experience underscores the emotional and financial toll that intellectual property theft takes on independent artists who rely on the uniqueness of their products to succeed.
A Closer Look at the Copied Artwork
The listings on Temu were not just similar; they were direct copies of Draenog’s original work. The infringement was clear across two specific popular designs, mirroring everything from the artwork to the Welsh-language greetings.
The two stolen designs were:
- Nadolig Llawen Mam a Dad: An original card featuring two hedgehogs under a gentle snowfall.
- Penblwydd Hapus: A charming card showcasing a dachshund with a balloon tied to it.
The copied versions were so precise that they left no doubt about the infringement. This table shows a direct comparison of the designs and their descriptions.
| Card Design | Draenog’s Version | Temu’s Version |
|---|---|---|
| Merry Christmas Mum and Dad | mam a dad nadolig llawen | nadolig llawen mam a dad |
| Happy Birthday Dachshund | penblwydd hapus tied to dachshund | penblwydd hapus tied to dachshund |
A Widespread Issue Needing Systemic Change
This is not an isolated incident. Fflur Elin of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) confirmed that many small companies face similar battles. “One in five small businesses have seen their work copied on major platforms,” she stated, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Elin voiced frustration over the current system, where the burden of proof and reporting falls heavily on the small business owner. The FSB is advocating for a new approach where large platforms contribute to a fund that helps mediate these disputes. This would provide small businesses with the support they desperately need. The challenge of tracking down violators and navigating complex legal rights is often too much for a small operation to handle alone.
Temu’s Swift Action and Industry Response
To its credit, Temu responded quickly once alerted to the issue. A spokesperson for the company confirmed the infringing products were removed and reiterated Temu’s commitment to protecting intellectual property rights. “Our IP protection team handles over 99% of takedown requests within days,” the spokesperson said. The company has also invested in an IP portal to help creators protect their brands.
This issue has also caught the attention of government bodies. The UK Intellectual Property Office acknowledges IP theft as a major challenge and has been working with e-commerce platforms to combat it. However, as Fflur Elin emphasized, more robust support is needed. “Small businesses shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden alone,” she added, calling for greater accountability from the platforms where these infringements occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Anwen Roberts’ card designs?
Anwen Roberts, owner of the brand Draenog, discovered that her original card designs were being copied and sold on the online marketplace Temu without her consent. The designs were identical to her own work.
How did Temu respond to the copyright claim?
Temu responded swiftly after being notified of the infringement. The company removed the listings for the stolen card designs and stated its commitment to protecting the intellectual property of artists and brands.
Is this a common problem for small businesses?
Yes, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), one in five small businesses have had their work copied on major online platforms. This highlights a significant and widespread challenge for independent creators.
What is being done to help small businesses protect their work?
The UK Intellectual Property Office is working with e-commerce sites to remove counterfeit goods. Additionally, the FSB is pushing for a system where large platforms help fund a mediation service to resolve these disputes for small businesses.
