Fighting Digital Art Theft in the Global Marketplace

By Nathan Hadi

When my mom’s original designs were stolen and sold on Temu, I saw more than a personal violation — I saw a business problem. Unauthorized copies were being mass-produced and sold at scale, competing directly with the legitimate product. To understand the dynamics, I approached the issue as both a son and a researcher

I began documenting the problem in a ten-part blog series, analyzing everything from IP law, watermark failures to consumer behavior. I even ordered both the Redbubble and Temu pillow covers featuring my mom’s stolen design, comparing stitching, fabric quality, and print sharpness. The uncomfortable truth: the Temu version wasn’t cheap or flimsy. It was good quality at a fraction of the price. For artists, that meant the fight couldn’t be won on product quality alone.

So I turned to advocacy. With RedBubble, I filed reports, sent formal letters, and launched a petition urging them to adopt randomized watermarking. After weeks of silence, I finally received acknowledgment that my suggestion will be considered in future system upgrade. With Temu, I filed DMCA takedowns; within two days, the infringing products were removed. A fast win — but also fleeting, as sellers can easily relist under new accounts.

The lesson is clear: takedowns solve today’s problems, but advocacy creates tomorrow’s solutions. Real change requires system-level safeguards, not just whack-a-mole enforcement.

My hope is that platforms will move beyond reactive measures and adopt proactive protections for creators. Until then, my work continues: researching, advocating, and pushing for a future where originality is rewarded, not stolen.