What should I do if a customer says my Etsy design is being sold on Temu?

Hi! First, thank them and stay calm—then quickly verify whether the Temu listing is using your photos/text (copyright issue) or producing a lookalike/counterfeit of your product (counterfeit/trademark/trade dress type issue). Once you’ve confirmed what’s being copied, document it and file an IP complaint through Temu’s IP reporting system (or the “Report this item” option if you’re just flagging it as a user), and reply to the customer with a professional note that protects your brand without sounding defensive.

To verify what’s actually happening (fast + reliable)

1. Ask the customer for details (without pressuring them):

• A screenshot of the Temu listing
• The item title and seller name shown on Temu
• If they can, the product page link (even just the listing ID is helpful)

1. Check Temu yourself and compare side-by-side:

• Are your exact photos used? (same background, props, wrinkles, mockup artifacts, etc.)
• Is your listing text copied? (description bullets, sizing copy, FAQs, even the same typos)
• Is it “your design” but recreated? (same artwork/layout but re-drawn or slightly altered)
• Are they using your brand name/logo anywhere on the listing or images?

1. Capture evidence immediately (before it changes):

• Screenshot the full page (including price, seller name, and images)
• Save the image files if you can
• Note the date you found it and any unique identifiers (SKU-style numbers, listing IDs)

Reporting/removal options (what to do next)
If they used your photos or your written description:
That’s usually the cleanest enforcement path because it’s straightforward copyright (you created the photos/text).

If they copied the design itself:
You can still report it, but outcomes depend on what the “design” is (some designs are easier to enforce than others). Still report—just be very specific about what’s yours and what’s copied.

Where to report on Temu (practical approach):

• If you’re the rights holder, use Temu’s IP/Intellectual Property complaint process (their policy calls for identifying the IP, describing what’s infringed, and providing supporting documentation).
• If you’re not filing as the rights holder (or you want a quick additional flag), you can also use the “Report this item” option on the product page and choose the closest reason (often under “Copyright and trademark,” and then “Counterfeit item” if it’s pretending to be your branded product).

What to include so Temu takes it seriously
Keep it tight, factual, and evidence-heavy:

• A short statement like: “These are my original product photos and/or original artwork first published in my Etsy listing on [month/year].”
• Your proof: your Etsy listing screenshots, original working files (raw photo, layered file, timestamps), and side-by-side comparisons
• Exactly which elements are copied (photo 1, photo 2, description paragraph, logo use, etc.)
• If it’s a counterfeit: explain that you do not authorize sales on Temu and the product is not made/fulfilled by you

How to respond to the customer (professional + brand-safe)
You don’t want to argue about price—just reassure them and emphasize authenticity, quality, and support. Here are two ready-to-send options:

Option A (neutral + appreciative):
“Thanks so much for the heads-up—I really appreciate it. I’m going to look into that Temu listing right away because I don’t authorize my designs or photos to be used there. If you’re able to share a screenshot of what you saw (especially the photos and seller name), that would help me report it. If you choose to purchase from my Etsy shop, you’ll receive the authentic item made by me, with accurate materials/sizing and customer support if anything comes up.”

Option B (if you suspect a counterfeit):
“Thank you for letting me know. I can’t verify what that Temu seller is shipping, and I don’t sell through Temu—so it may be a counterfeit or an unlicensed copy. If you want the original (and to ensure quality/fit/materials match the listing), ordering through my Etsy listing is the safest way. If you can send a screenshot of the Temu page, I’ll use it to file a takedown report.”

A couple of extra protective moves (worth doing)

• Update your Etsy listing photos with subtle branding (small watermark/label on a couple images, or a branded insert photo). Don’t ruin the thumbnail—just make theft less profitable.
• Keep your originals organized (raw images, drafts, timestamps). If you ever need to escalate, having a clean “proof folder” helps a lot.
• If you have a brand name/logo, consider trademark guidance long-term; for pure artwork/photos, copyright documentation and original files are often your strongest proof.

If you want, paste what the customer wrote (remove any personal info), and tell me what you sell (physical product vs digital download). I’ll help you choose the best report type (photos/text vs design/counterfeit) and tighten your message back to the buyer.