Designer Natalie Ramsell-Lee of shared the devastating reality of online infringement after discovering copies of her work being sold on Temu, alongside photographs of her young daughter being used without consent to market the products.

Dids Macdonald, Co-Founder of Anti Copying in Design (ACID), appeared on BBC Lincoln offering support to Natalie and other creative SMEs experiencing what she described as “David & Goliath” online infringement battles.

The link to the BBC recording  https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b007tp3n/look-north-east-yorkshire-and-lincolnshire

Link to the article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0p4prm42po

Dids highlighted the wider scale of the issue, stating:

“The scale of online infringement is vast and widespread, not only in the UK but worldwide. We are calling for stronger deterrents, cost and timely access to easier enforcement.”

This particular case is also especially concerning because it involved the unauthorised use of images of Natalie’s under-age daughter, raising serious safeguarding concerns alongside the infringement itself. It is hoped that Temu and other online marketplaces will adhere to government warnings.

The UK government says, “The use of images of underage children on online marketplaces can enable exploitation, abuse, identity theft, and the creation or circulation of illegal child sexual abuse material. Platforms and users who fail to safeguard children face serious legal, financial, and reputational consequences. In response, the UK Government is strengthening laws through the Crime and Policing Act 2026 and Online Safety Act, introducing tougher penalties, requiring faster removal of harmful content, targeting AI-generated abuse material, and holding platform operators accountable. These measures aim to close legal loopholes, improve enforcement, and ensure online marketplaces are safer environments for children and families.

On tackling David & Goliath widespread copying, Dids added “ACID eagerly awaits the Government’s recommendations following the recent Design Consultation (link) when it is hoped that lone, micro and SME experiencing infringement of this type will be supported by stronger deterrents and cost and timely access to enforcement. ACID is in dialogue with Temu to improve incidences of infringement and resellers whose copycat work is prolific.

The article and BBC Lincoln feature shine a light on the emotional, financial and personal impact online copying has on independent creatives and small businesses.

The BBC Lincoln News feature is available to watch until 6pm tonight.

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