Twenty One Pilots sues Temu over counterfeit merchandise in California trademark lawsuit

Rock-pop duo Twenty One Pilots has filed a lawsuit against online retailer Temu, accusing the company of selling counterfeit merchandise featuring the band’s trademarked logos. The complaint, filed Tuesday in California against Temu’s parent company, Whaleco Inc., was first reported by People Magazine.

The complaint claims Temu “knowingly and systematically” marketed and sold products that replicate the group’s protected designs. The filing argues that the counterfeit goods are “confusingly and/or virtually identical” to the band’s trademarks, damaging their brand and misleading consumers into believing Temu is affiliated with Twenty One Pilots.

As evidence, the group, comprised of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, cited examples in the lawsuit. One was a $35 official T-shirt featuring the band’s logo and a dragon design, compared with a similar item listed on Temu for $8.51. The band alleges that such replicas devalue their merchandise and undermine their reputation.

According to the filing, Twenty One Pilots also alerted Temu to the alleged trademark violations but received no meaningful response. The lawsuit describes Temu as “one of the most unethical companies operating in today’s global marketplace.”

Temu, through a spokesperson, denied wrongdoing and told People that it “respects the intellectual property rights of others and takes all infringement claims seriously.” The company added it intends to “vigorously defend” itself against what it called unfounded allegations.

The band is seeking unspecified damages. The case is pending, with no trial date yet scheduled.