Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind Lola Design and what makes your designs unique?

Lola Design was born out of my passion for creating beautiful, uplifting designs that bring joy and colour into people’s lives. The inspiration comes from a love of nature, animals, and the little details that make the world around us so extraordinary. I’ve always believed that art has the power to make us feel good, and that’s a principle that sits at the heart of every piece I create.

You’ve experienced some serious copying issues recently. How did you first discover that your designs were being infringed, and what was your immediate reaction?

We first discovered that our designs were being infringed thanks to an article by Progressive Greetings, which highlighted how other greeting card manufacturers were being copied. This initially alerted us to the scale of copying happening on platforms like Temu and Shein. When we dug deeper, we found over fifty of our own designs among the copies and that was truly the final straw, so to speak.

I was honestly shocked by the sheer scale of what Temu was doing, it was like mass industrialised copying, not just targeting us but so many other talented artists as well. It was devastating to see the work we pour so much heart and soul into being replicated and sold without any respect for the original creators. It made me question why I even keep designing if this is what we have to face repeatedly. And that’s a question no designer should ever feel forced to ask themselves.

While the experience has been incredibly frustrating and disheartening, it’s also strengthened our resolve to protect our work and support fellow creatives. It’s a reminder of how important it is to stand up for originality and ensure that artists & designers’ rights are respected.

Lola Design has been proactive in using ACID tools, like uploading your work to the ACID IP Databank and displaying the ACID logo. How effective do you feel these measures have been in preventing and deterring copying?

Using ACID tools, such as uploading our work to the ACID IP Databank and prominently displaying the ACID logo, has been an important part of protecting our designs. I do feel that these measures help deter copying and make people think twice before infringing on our intellectual property. They send a clear message that we take our rights seriously and are prepared to act if necessary.

However, in recent years, with bigger players like Temu and Shein entering the picture, it’s become clear that these larger companies have absolutely no respect for original designs or the creators behind them. They operate on such a huge scale that the usual deterrents seem to have little to no impact. It’s incredibly disheartening, but it’s also a call to continue raising awareness about this issue and pushing for stronger protections for creatives.

We’ll keep taking every step we can, even registering our designs with the UK IPO office, because every small measure helps, and it’s crucial to stand firm against this kind of blatant exploitation.

Your recent meeting with your local MP highlights the significant challenges UK designers face regarding online infringement. Could you share what was discussed and how you hope this meeting might influence change?

During our recent meeting with our local MP Racheal Maskell, we highlighted the significant challenges small UK design-led businesses like ours face due to rampant online infringement, particularly by platforms like Temu and Shein.

We discussed how these companies steal original designs, undercut prices, and avoid UK taxes, causing devastating impacts on revenue, jobs, and morale. For instance, a copied product can be sold on Temu, and even when listings are removed after being reported, the damage is already done, with profits taken by the seller and platform.

We emphasised how this issue goes beyond individual businesses. It undermines the £97.4 billion UK creative industries, which employ nearly 2 million people. The UK greeting card and stationery market alone is worth £4.15 billion, yet platforms like Temu and Shein act as backdoors for counterfeit goods and intellectual property theft, profiting unfairly at the expense of UK creators and businesses. Worse, their practices risk being legitimised if such companies are allowed to float on the UK stock market.

We proposed key actions, including raising parliamentary questions about why platforms like Temu and Shein are allowed to sell lookalike products unchecked, despite the significant harm caused to UK businesses and the creative industries as a whole. These questions would aim to hold such platforms accountable for profiting from intellectual property theft and evading UK taxes.

Additionally, we have suggested a meeting in Westminster with Dids Macdonald OBE, Chair of Anti Copying in Design (ACID), to discuss practical steps to strengthen intellectual property protections. This includes implementing stricter regulations for online platforms, introducing faster mechanisms for removing infringing products. The goal is to safeguard the UK’s creative industries, protect designers, and ensure companies like Temu and Shein are held accountable for their actions. We also highlighted the urgent need for fair tax reforms to ensure platforms like Temu and Shein cannot gain an unfair competitive advantage over UK businesses by bypassing UK tax obligations.

By addressing these issues, we aim to not only protect small design-led businesses but also uphold the integrity of the UK’s creative industries, ensuring they remain a key driver of growth and innovation in the economy.

Dealing with infringement cases can be emotionally and financially draining. What advice would you give to other designers experiencing similar issues?

Dealing with infringement can be incredibly tough, both emotionally and financially, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone in facing these challenges. My first piece of advice is to document everything. Keep records of your original designs, including dates and any drafts or sketches, as these can be vital if you need to prove ownership. We also register our designs with the UK Intellectual Property Office, which provides an added layer of legal protection and makes it easier to enforce our rights if needed.

Make use of the resources available to you. Organisations like ACID (Anti Copying in Design) can provide valuable support, including tools like the IP Databank and advice on protecting your rights. Displaying logos like the ACID logo can also act as a deterrent to potential infringers. While it may not stop everyone, it shows that you’re serious about protecting your work.

It’s also important to report any infringement as soon as you spot it, even if the process feels frustrating or slow. Platforms are more likely to act if they receive complaints, and every report helps build a case for stronger regulations.

Finally, don’t let copying discourage you from creating. It’s easy to feel disheartened, however remember that your talent and creativity are what set you apart. Stay focused on what makes your work unique, and lean on the support of your creative community. Sharing experiences with others in similar situations can be incredibly reassuring and can even lead to collective action for change.

Many designers look up to Lola Design for your beautiful work and strong stance on IP protection. What message would you like to convey to them about the importance of safeguarding intellectual property?

To every designer out there, we want you to know that your creativity is incredibly valuable, and protecting it isn’t just about safeguarding your work it’s about honouring the passion, time, and effort you pour into everything you create.

Think of your intellectual property as the heart of your business. Without it, your unique voice and vision can be at risk of being diluted by those who don’t respect the artistry behind what you do. Taking steps to protect your designs, like using the tools like the ACID IP Databank, is a way to ensure your work is recognised and respected. It might feel like a daunting battle sometimes, especially when faced with bigger players, but remember you’re not alone. By standing firm and supporting one another as a creative community, we can make it harder for others to exploit what we’ve worked so hard to build. Keep creating, keep inspiring, and never stop believing in the value of your ideas they’re what make the world brighter and more beautiful!

What is Lola Design’s message to copycats who infringe on original designs?

To all the copycats out there: Please stop! Taking someone else’s work isn’t flattering or harmless, it’s stealing. Every design we create comes from hours of thought, effort, and love, and when you copy it, you’re not just taking a piece of art you’re taking a piece of our story.

Copying doesn’t make you creative, it only highlights what’s missing. Instead of replicating someone else’s ideas, why not focus on finding your own spark? Building something original and genuine is far more fulfilling than riding on the coattails of someone else’s hard work.

We believe in fairness, respect, and the value of creativity. So please, respect the designers who put their heart into their work and find a way to channel your own ideas because there’s nothing more rewarding than making something that’s truly your own.

Do you feel the copying of designers has become blatant? What steps would you like the Government and policymakers to take to better protect UK designers from infringement?

Yes, I do. The copying of designers has become more blatant than ever, especially with the rise of large online platforms where intellectual property theft is rampant and difficult to control. It’s not just small-scale infringement anymore, it’s industrial-scale copying. Where entire collections are duplicated and sold at a fraction of the price, often by companies that don’t adhere to fair practices or respect the work of designers.

To better protect UK designers from infringement, I would like to see the Government and policymakers take more decisive action. This includes implementing stricter regulations for online marketplaces, ensuring they take responsibility for the products sold on their platforms and act swiftly to remove infringing listings. More robust intellectual property laws should be put in place, with higher penalties for those found guilty of copying and selling counterfeit goods.

Policymakers could also push for better international cooperation to hold global platforms accountable and ensure that UK designers have a fair playing field. Additionally, creating incentives for platforms to comply with IP protection guidelines and enforcing tax rules for international sellers would help level the playing field and protect UK businesses.

It’s time for the Government to recognise the value and importance of our creative industries and take action to defend the designers who contribute so much to the economy and culture of the UK.

Have you signed the ACID IP Charter?

Yes.

It’s free to sign and helps us to have a wide variety of names to add to our campaigns for IP law reform. You also get a free logo which you can use to demonstrate you stand strong for respect, ethics and compliance in design.

Lola Design

www.loladesignltd.com

Shein & Temu copies of Lola Design: