DMCA

The Long Game of Fighting Piracy at AliExpress

Monday August 26, 2024

AliExpress Piracy  Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4   |  Part 5  | Part 6 | Fight Back

It’s been almost a month since I began tackling the frustrating issue of intellectual property theft on AliExpress, where my designs are often copied and sold without my permission. This process has been exhausting, revealing the harsh realities of being a creator in the digital marketplace. Also, this is nothing new.

As I search the platform for my designs, I grow more weary. I’ve filed 603 complaints, with nearly all being successful in having the infringing items taken down. However, I’ve yet to see any meaningful action from AliExpress to shut down the stores behind these thefts. The dashboard they provide gives the illusion of support, but it often feels like a way to mask their inaction.

AliBaba, is practically laughing in the faces of poor artists essentially making them unpaid employees, let’s call it what it really is: slavery, to its system of regulating the proliferation of knockoffs and satisfying the more significant complaints by global trade commissions and blocks who’ve raised issue with AliExpress’ unethical practices of enabling sellers in China to pirate western designs to western buyers.

The Wall Street Journal:  European Commission Opens Probe Into Alibaba’s AliExpress

To date, I have lodged a staggering 603 complaints, boasting a near 100% takedown success rate. However, the fact that I’ve only encountered a 0% counter-notice rate leaves me questioning the efficacy of the system. The sleek Alibaba IPP dashboard presents a month-on-month comparison of complaints, solidifying my belief that this will be an ongoing battle. It’s disheartening to realize that artists like myself are essentially being turned into unpaid employees for a platform that profits from our creativity while simultaneously enabling the proliferation of knockoffs.

Yahoo Life:  Canadian textile artist calls out Shein, AliExpress: ‘Having your art stolen sucks’

The situation is exacerbated by the existence of a network of individuals who profit from selling pirated designs. These sellers often operate multiple stores, creating a labyrinth of knockoff products where they can hide from accountability. My niche audience of history enthusiasts gives me a slight advantage; it’s easier for me to identify and report violations related to specific themes, such as “Millard Fillmore” or “MacKenzie Bowell.” However, I am acutely aware that many other artists, whose works are more generic, face an even greater challenge in this system.

Pirate Leader Board

Despite my efforts, I have yet to witness any substantive action from AliExpress against these offending stores. I have become familiar with the individuals behind the piracy, tracking their nefarious activities in a growing spreadsheet that serves as a leaderboard of the worst offenders. The Yu Xianyu Textile Store currently holds the dubious honour of having 30 of my designs taken down, followed closely by the Lin Hanzhu Cloth Shop and the Chen Yongjiao Commodity Firm. The sheer volume of violations I uncover feels like an endless stream of needles in a haystack, with countless other unsuspecting artists suffering similar fates.

On a positive note, advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, are making it easier to track these offenders. With simple coding, I can automate the monitoring of my designs and identify patterns in copyright violations. This efficiency allows me to focus more on creating rather than just fighting piracy.

In response to the blatant disregard for copyright laws, I’ve taken an unconventional approach. In recent complaints, I’ve included a light-hearted newsletter (as shown above), albeit with likely poorly translated text aimed at the sellers. While I have little expectation that this message will resonate with them, I find solace in the notion that some low level data entry employee on the corporate side might glance at it as they process complaints.

The battle against intellectual property theft feels overwhelming at times, but I remain committed to protecting my work and supporting fellow creators. By sharing our experiences and leveraging new tools, we can all stand stronger against the tide of piracy. This journey is not just about reclaiming my designs; it’s about fighting for the rights of all artists who deserve respect and recognition for their creativity.

Part 5: AliExpress Piracy

AliExpress Pirate Mascot. AliExpress’ IPP Platform sure has the look of being proactive on cracking down on piracy – it’s a cute look, slipping on bananas, but it’s a giant sham

The Glaring Pattern of Intellectual Property Violations on AliExpress

AliExpress Piracy  Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4   |  Part 5  | Part 6 | Fight Back

As an artist, I have dedicated countless hours to developing unique designs that not only reflect my artistic vision but also contribute to the vibrant tapestry of creativity in our world. Unfortunately, my experiences with AliExpress—a platform that connects sellers in China with international buyers—have illuminated a troubling reality: a rampant culture of intellectual property violations that undermines the very essence of creativity and originality.

We’re all familiar with meddling bad actors in China actively interfering with political processes in western democracies. This is another form of meddling on the bottom dollar of small business in the west. It goes on unabated, and fuelled by mindless consumers who contribute to the bad behaviour by willingly ordering from them merely to save a few bucks and enrich foreign pirates and the corporate powers that enable them.

June 2, 2023

Over the past few weeks, I have registered 103 designs with AliExpress’ Intellectual Property Protection (IPP) platform. In this time, I have filed 489 notices of intellectual property theft, resulting in the removal of numerous links to infringing products. While these actions may seem effective on the surface, deeper investigation reveals a concerning trend that raises questions about the integrity of the system.

I have discovered that multiple stores on AliExpress—specifically those managed by individuals like Liu Hongling—are repeatedly violating my intellectual property. For instance, Liu operates several stores under generic names, each selling my designs without authorization. Collectively, these stores have racked up 18 violations, showcasing a blatant disregard for the rights of creators.

Every violation and every human name gets recorded adding up to an indictment against piracy that is being supported by AliExpress in it’s corporate negligence in platforming, profiting and delivering counterfeit products to mindless buyers around the planet

This behaviour is not isolated. A pattern emerges as I explore further; it appears that a handful of individuals manage numerous storefronts, creating a facade of legitimacy while continuing to profit from the hard work of others. For example, Lin Hanzhu, one of the most notorious violators (featured here), has amassed 90 violations across six different stores. The system allows these individuals to thrive, moving between stores and evading serious consequences.

The implications of this are profound. AliExpress claims to operate on a penalty system, where sellers accrue points for violations, leading to store closures after reaching a threshold. However, the reality is that many sellers simply shift to new stores before facing any substantial penalties. This “game of whack-a-mole” perpetuates a cycle of infringement, undermining the efforts of creators striving to protect their work.

Moreover, the licenses granted to these infringing sellers often date back only a few months, raising concerns about the vetting process employed by AliExpress. This lack of diligence allows counterfeiters to infiltrate the marketplace, offering consumers misleading options that harm both creators and the integrity of the market itself.

It is imperative that we recognize this behaviour as unethical and take a stand against it. As consumers and supporters of creativity, we must advocate for stronger protections for original works and hold platforms accountable for their role in perpetuating these violations. Together, we can combat this systemic issue and foster a culture that values and respects intellectual property.

I urge my readers to remain vigilant and informed. By supporting authentic creators and advocating for change, we can help create a marketplace where creativity is celebrated, and the rights of artists are upheld. Let us work together to combat this unethical behaviour and protect the integrity of our creative community.

Part 3: Shop1103717505, a case study

AliExpress Pirate Lin Hanzhu

AliExpress Piracy  Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4   |  Part 5  | Part 6 | Fight Back

In my previous article, I shed light on the ongoing battle against unauthorized use of my intellectual property designs on the AliExpress marketplace. I took the proactive step of registering copyrights for my creations to combat the rampant selling of my designs without permission.

One of the most flagrant offenders in this situation is the AliExpress store identified as Shop1103717505. This store has been linked to at least twenty distinct designs that I have created, including representations of notable figures such as Charles and Camilla, Horatio Nelson, Margaret Thatcher, multiple U.S. Presidents, and my popular design featuring the English and British Monarchy. (Update: the links have been since removed by AliExpress.) The complete list of infringed designs is troubling and raises serious concerns about the integrity of the marketplace.

If all goes to plan, the links above should soon, if not already direct to AliExpress error pages confirming that the pirated designs have disappeared and Shop 1103717505, and all its 3000 offerings will be dust.

Lin’s Business Licence

The individual behind this store is Lin Hanzhu, who serves as the legal representative for the Lin Hanzhu Cloth Shop, located at CN No. 35, Zhang Gongdun, Handong Street, Hanjiang District, Putin City, Fujian Province. This store has been operational since getting it’s AliExpress business licence on April 8, 2024, and is registered with the State Administration for Market Regulation. According to the business license, which is accessible to anyone interested in getting background on any AliExpress store, the seller is required to provide accurate information, and any violation of this can lead to penalties under AliExpress rules.

Turns out Shop 1103717505 isn’t Lin Hanzhu’s only boutique of pirated products. He also runs Shop1103713474, (operating online since April 23, 2024 under the company name Lin Hanzhu Clothing Auxiliary Shop on Handong Street in Putian,) shop Shop1103715454, (operating since since April 23, 2024 under the company name Lin Hanzhu Knitwear Store on Handong Street in Putian,) and Shop1103720442  (operating since since April 23, 2024 under the company name Lin Hanzhu Commodity Store on Handong in Putian.) Between all of them, 54 designs of my intellectual property have been stolen.

According to AliExpress’s IP protection policies, unauthorized usage of copyrighted materials, such as images, constitutes copyright infringement. Interestingly, the penalty system is designed to deter such behaviour. A seller incurs no penalty points for the first violation; however, subsequent violations result in the accumulation of penalty points, with termination occurring once a seller reaches 48 points. Given that I have identified nine designs being sold without authorization, it raises the question: will Shop1103717505 face termination? 

Lin Hanzhu’s little shop of piracy before getting put out of business.

While the rules seem clear, concerns linger about the effectiveness of these measures. If the store is shut down, will my designs simply reappear under a different store number? Will Lin Hanzhu’s business details be transferred to another account, allowing for the continuation of these infringements? These questions remain unanswered, and they cast doubt on AliExpress’s commitment to genuinely addressing intellectual property theft.

As I continue to monitor this situation, I remain hopeful that the measures in place will lead to meaningful actions against violators. The integrity of the marketplace and the protection of intellectual property rights are at stake, and it is crucial for platforms like AliExpress to demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding the creations of designers and artists.

By the numbers 228 of my designs will be reported which should have dire consequences for a number of pirate sellers in the Peoples Republic of China. Many shops will be affected while others including the following will be gone, Lin Hanzhu’s boutiques included. Sad. RIP: Shop1103741220, Shop1102456296, Shop1102398164, the quaint though trademark violating name that goes by Tom-Cruise Store but is known generically to AliExpress’ numbering system as Shop5035198 – which went over the 9 infringement violation that ends up getting shops shut down according to AliExpress policy. More cunning Sellers tend to keep under the threshold of items from individual artist, this gives an idea how little creators are aware of how pervasive their designs are being stolen. Tom-Cruise Store, managed by Huang Xiuquin of the Xiamen Golden Durian Trading Co. Ltd., on Xiangyu Road in Xiamen (Business Licence) has been operating since March 11, 2016. Something tells me, Huang Xiuguin has some kind of status that keeps him in business.

AliExpress Pirate Mascot

Update: In the wee hours of August 12, 2024, complaint missiles were launched at hundreds of pirated products selling my intellectual property on the other side of the planet. AliExpress made good on the pledge to act on the piracy claims and shut down access to each offending item. Each seller now has the opportunity to challenge claims to get pages restored. AliExpress’ IPP website says they’re allowed a few days. It has yet to be seen how much that is followed. Given several sellers were offering multiple designs of mine that go well past the threshold of 9 I fully expect some of those stores to shut down, but that has yet to happen. In the aftermath of the major strike is the act of going through to see if any designs were left behind. There were a few cases and they were quickly dealt with with added complaints. One other observation to be pointed out is how incredibly slow it takes for the AliExpress website to turn over to the complaint form to initiate the process. I’m sure this is all engineered as part of the tediousness involved for creators to deal with infringements. The most satisfying image that happens when a design has been successfully wiped of the Internet is just above, the AliExpress IPP infringement mascot. If I could, I’d design a shirt using it, and see how long it would take for AliExpress to post it before taking it down.

Part 2: AliExpress RipOff Sellers

AliExpress: Fighting Intellectual Property Theft

AliExpress Piracy  Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4   |  Part 5  | Part 6 | Fight Back

 

Prints, bags, socks greeting cards, post cards, journals, note books, smart phone cases, posters, stickers, throw pillows, mugs, tote bags, t-shirts and hoodies and more

In the vast digital marketplace, it seems that pirates have found a new playground—one that stretches across the globe and targets unsuspecting creators like myself. With relentless determination, these modern-day marauders have infiltrated my authorized online boutique, mercilessly plundering the intellectual property designs that I’ve poured countless hours into crafting. From the initial spark of creativity to the painstaking processes of assembling, describing, keyword research, and promotion, each design represents a piece of my artistic soul.

Imagine my outrage when I stumbled upon my original creations being hawked in online stores nestled in far-off Asian metropolises like Danzhou, Chongqing, and Xiamen. These shops, often featuring bewildering arrays of stolen designs from various artists, can showcase up to 3,000 items each! With the help of Google Images, tracking down these intellectual property thieves becomes a digital odyssey. What might start as a simple search for my designs quickly reveals a web of piracy, with one notorious player leading the charge: AliExpress.

AliExpress, a sprawling online marketplace, gives individual sellers a platform to reach buyers worldwide. However, it also serves as a haven for those who wish to profit from the creativity of others. Many of these shops bear unglamorous names composed of jumbled numbers, likely a tactic to evade detection after facing repeated takedown requests. Yet, a few quirky stores like LorraineLiving Store or PureDesign Store have managed to endure the scrutiny, possibly due to some undisclosed connections with higher-ups in Beijing.

What sets AliExpress apart from other platforms, like Amazon, is its surprising transparency. Each shop provides accessible information, allowing me to uncover business names, addresses, establishment dates, and even the names of human representatives behind these shadowy storefronts. As I navigate this murky terrain, I find myself equipped with valuable intel that may lead to future confrontations with these purveyors of piracy.

Part I: AliExpress is a Bazaar of Bootlggers

In a twist of fate, I now have hundreds of my designs registered with AliExpress—an unintended consequence of discovering the rampant theft of my work. The registration process is laborious and often frustrating. It requires uploading various forms of identification, filling out copyright documents, and submitting images of the original designs—all for each individual piece. Yet, through patience and persistence, I’ve discovered that this registration arms creators like me with the power to combat these intellectual property thieves effectively.

Once registered, the next step involves identifying specific URLs of the infringing products and reporting them to AliExpress. As sellers accumulate copyright infringements, they face penalties, including the potential removal of their stores—a much-needed consequence for their unethical practices. While submitting to the regulations of a foreign corporate entity can feel disheartening, it’s a necessary step in navigating this global marketplace and a glimpse of what lies ahead.

Though the process may be tedious and at times humiliating, I am now equipped to make a dent in the rampant disregard for intellectual property rights. Below, I list a few of the many culprits who will soon face the consequences of their actions, and in doing so, I hope to shine a light on the larger issue of copyright infringement in the digital age. Together, we can reclaim our creativity and protect our designs from the clutches of these digital pirates.

Authorized Design: Lewis Chessmen

List of Fakes

  1. Felicelivingroom Store – Putian Yiqu Trading Co., Ltd, Legal rep: Huang Lingling, Established 2020-11-13; Licence
  2. Shop1103771406 Store – Xu Xia Shoes and Hats Firm; legal rep: Xu Xia, Est. 2024-05-10; Licence
  3. Shop1103883123 Store – Lin Hanru Luggage Store; legal rep: Lin Hanru, Est. 2024-05-24; Licence
  4. Shop1103843948 Store – Huang Furen Department Store Retail Supermarket; Legal rep: Huang Furen; Est 2024-05-13; Licence
  5. Shop1102710015 Store – Xue Yuzhen Shoes and Clothing Store; Legal Rep: Xue Yuzhen; Est 2023-03-09; Licence
  6. Shop1102762305 Store – Li Yuhang Garment Firm; Legal Rep: Li Yuhang; Est. 2023-03-14; Licence
  7. Shop1102790265 Store – Xue Ruicai Shoes and Clothing Store; Legal Rep: Xue Ruicai; Est. 2023-04-13; Licence
  8. Shop1102717116 Store – Huang Qunying Luggage Store; Legal Rep: Huang Qunying ; Est 2023-03-06; Licence
  9. Shop1103718274 Store – Lin Hanru Luggage Store; legal rep: Lin Hanru, Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  10. Shop1102437198 Store – Xue Yuqin Commodity Store; Legal Rep: Xue Yuqin; Est 2022-10-20; Licence
  11. Shop1103712277 Store – Lin Hanzhu Bedding Store, Legal Rep. Lin Hanzhu; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  12. Shop1102339634 Store – Huanli E-Commerce Firm; Legal Rep: Yu Lihua; Est. 2022-09-14; Licence
  13. Shop1102487410 Store – Zheng Zhimin Commodity Firm; Zheng Zhimin; Est. 2022-11-22; Licence
  14. Shop1102339188 Store  – Four Dragons E-Commerce Firm; Chen Huarong; Est. 2022-09-14; Licence

Authorized Design: Horatio Nelson

List of Fakes

  1. Felicelivingroomstore – Putian Yiqu Trading Co., Ltd, Legal rep: Huang Lingling, Established 2020-11-13; Licence
  2. Shop1103784049 Store – Wu Yumei Commodity Store; Est. 2024-05-10; Licence
  3. Shop1103000270 Store – Putian Licheng District Rice Reading Trade Co. Ltd; Legal rep: Zheng Zhimin Est. 2023-07-19 ; Licence
  4. Shop1103717505 Store – Lin Hanzhu Cloth Shop; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  5. Shop1103438231 Store – Cai Zhizhong Shoes and Hats Store; Est. 2023-12-14; Licence
  6. Shop1103799040 Store – Wu Yumei Clothing Accessories Store (Individual Business); Est. 2024-05-10; Licence
  7. Shop1103773304 Store – Xu Xia Clothing Business; Est. 2024-05-10; Licence
  8. Shop1102677943 Store – Xue Yuzhen Daily Commodities Business Department; Est. 2023-01-30; Licence
  9. Shop1103864655 Store – Lin Maowei Bed Products Store; Est. 2024-06-03; Licence
  10. Shop1103740206 Store – Yu Xianyu Shoe and Clothing Store; Est. 2024-03-36; Licence
  11. Shop1103754428 Store – Liang Jinping Bedding Store; Legal rep: Leung Kim-ying; Est. 2024-04-30; Licence
  12. Shop1103774310 Store – Xu Xia Commodity Business Department; Legal Rep: Xu Xia; Est. 2024-05-10; Licence
  13. Shop1103859549 Store – Huang Xiuxiang Knitwear Store; Est. 2024-05-13; Licence
  14. Shop1103202062 Store – Li Dan Department Store Retail Supermarket; Est. 2023-06-21; Licence
  15. Shop1103995308 Store – Wang Xiaolei Textile Store; Est. 2024-07-04; Licence
  16. Shop1103833611 Store – Huang Furen Shoes and Hats Business Department; Est. 2024-05-13; Licence
  17. TshirtLink Store – Putian Huayue Trading Co., Ltd; Legal Rep. Gong Fa; Est. 2014-03-17; Licence

Authorized Design: Winston Churchill

List of Fakes

  1. Shop1103692168 Store – Guangdong Mingyi Legal Consulting Co. Ltd.; Legal Rep. Qiu Xiaojie; Est. 2024-01-03; Licence
  2. Shop1102525595 Store – Huang Chunxiang Commodity Store; Est. 2022-11-25; Licence
  3. Shop1103728472 Store – Yu Xianyu Knitwear Store; Est. 2024-03-06; Licence
  4. Shop1104030528 Store – Yu Liqiong Cloth Store; Est. 2024-07-17; Licence
  5. Shop1102398164 Store (major offender) – Danzhou Smear Department Store; Legal rep. Liu Hongjing; Est. 2021-09-07 ; Licence

Authorized Design: Margaret Thatcher

List of Fakes

  1. Felicelivingroom – Putian Yiqu Trading Co., Ltd, Legal rep: Huang Lingling, Established 2020-11-13; Licence
  2. Shop1103694177 Store – Reg. name: Guangdong Mingi Legal Consulting Co. Ltd., Legal Rep: Qiu Xiaojie; Est. 2024-01-03; Licence
  3. Shop4405087 Store – Reg. name: Xiamen Haibin Brothers Electronic Commerce Co. Ltd, Legal Rep. Huang Zhifu; Est. 2017-11-17; Licence
  4. Shop1103741220 Store (major offender) – Reg. name: Yu Xianyu Textile Store; Est. 2024-03-26; Licence
  5. Shop1103212689 Store – Reg. name: Chen Huazhen Textile Store; Est. 2023-10-11; Licence
  6. Shop1102398164 Store (major offender) – Danzhou Smear Department Store; Legal rep. Liu Hongjing; Est. 2021-09-07; Licence
  7. Shop1102456296 Store – Reg. name: Chen Yongliao Commodity Firm; Est. 2022-11-03; Licence
  8. Old School Store – Reg. name: Putian Huayue Trading Co. Ltd., Legal Rep. Gong Fa; Est. 2014-03-17; Licence
  9. Shop1103717505 Store (major offender) – Lin Hanzhu Cloth Shop; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  10. Shop1103882763 Store – Reg. name: Lin Jiayuan Shoe and Hat Store; Est. 2024-05-24; Licence
  11. Shop1102860231 Store – Reg. name: Huang Chunxiang Knitwear Shop; Est. 2023-05-04; Licence
  12. Shop1102398164 Store (major offender) – Danzhou Smear Department Store; Legal rep. Liu Hongjing; Est. 2021-09-07; Licence
  13. Shop1103845627 Store – Reg. name: Huang Furen Shoes and Hats Business Department; Est. 2024-05-13; Licence
  14. Shop1103720442 Store – Reg. name: Lin Hanzhu Commodity Store; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence

Authorized Design: Presidents of the United States (RB_Presidents-2020b) (CHART)

List of Fakes

  1. Lorraineliving Store – Reg. name: Putian Yiqu Not Trading Co., Ltd., Huang Lingling; Est. 2020-11-13; Licence
  2. Shop1103717505 Store (Repeat Offender) – Lin Hanzhu Cloth Shop; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  3. Shop1102456296 Store (Repeat Offender) – Reg. name: Chen Yongiiao Commodity Firm; Est. 2022-11-03; Licence
  4. Shop1103720442 Store (Repeat Offender) – Reg. name: Lin Hanzhu Commodity Store; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  5. Shop1103715454 Store (Repeat Offender) – Reg. name: Lin Hanzhu Knitwear Shop; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  6. Shop1103740495 Store (Repeat Offender) – Reg. name: Xiamen Xiang ‘an District Aso Clothing Store, Legal rep. Chen Huazhen; Est. 2024-04-29; Licence
  7. Shop1103741220 Store (Repeat Offender) – Reg. name: Yu Xianyu Textile Store; Est. 2024-03-26; Licence
  8. Shop1104028532 Store – Reg. name: Yu Liqiong Luggage Store; Est. 2024-07-17; Licence

Authorized Design: Presidents Of The United States (RB-POTUS-Socks)

List of Fakes

  1. Shop1102456296 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Chen Yongiiao Commodity Firm; Est. 2022-11-03; Licence
  2. Shop1103736449 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Yu Xianyu Luggage Store; Est. 2024-03-26; Licence
  3. Shop1104030729 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Yu Liqiong Shoes and Clothing Store; Est. 2024-07-17; Licence
  4. Lorrainelingstore – Reg. name: Putian Yiqu Not Trading Co., Ltd., Huang Lingling; Est. 2020-11-13; Licence
  5. Tom-Cruise Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Xiamen Golden Durian Trading Co. Ltd, Legal Rep. Huang Xiuqin; Est. 2016-03-11; Licence
  6. Shop1103713474 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Lin Hanzhu Clothing Auxillary Shop; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  7. Shop1103720442 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Lin Hanzhe Commodity Store; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  8. Shop1103740495 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Xiamen Xiang ‘an District Aso Clothing Store, Legal Rep. Chen Huazhen; Est. 2024-04-29; Licence
  9. Shop1103715454 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Lin Hanzhu Knitwear Shop; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  10. Shop1102401083 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Danzhou Smear Department Store, Legal Rep. Liu Hongjing; Est. 2021-09-07; Licence

Authorized Design: President John Adams

List of Fakes

  1. Shop1102456296 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Chen Yongiiao Commodity Firm; Est. 2022-11-03; Licence
  2. Shop1103778598 Store (just one) – Reg. name: Wu Yumei Commodity Store; Est. 2024-05-10; Licence
  3. Shop1103715454 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Lin Hanzhu Knitwear Shop; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  4. Shop1104037535 Store (just one) – Reg. name: Yu Liqiong Textile Store; Est. 2024-07-17; Licence
  5. Shop1103741220 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Yu Xianyu Textile Store; Est. 2024-03-26; Licence
  6. Tom-Cruise Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Xiamen Golden Durian Trading Co. Ltd, Legal Rep. Huang Xiuqin; Est. 2016-03-11; Licence
  7. Shop1103740495 Store (repeat offender) – Reg. name: Xiamen Xiang ‘an District Aso Clothing Store, Legal rep. Chen Huazhen; Est. 2024-04-29; Licence
  8. Shop1103717505 Store (repeat offender) – Lin Hanzhu Cloth Shop; Est. 2024-04-08; Licence
  9. Shop1103995301 Store (just one) – Reg. name: Wang Xiaolei Clothing Store; Est. 2024-07-04; Licence

President Ulysses S. Grant: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/17797878

Counterfeit Products:

President Howard Taft: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/18223212

Counterfeit Products:

President Harry S Truman: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/19373772

Counterfeit Products:

President Ronald Reagan: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/19791379

Counterfeit Products:

Update: August 17, 2024, all the links to fake products above now lead to error pages which AliExpress has duly removed. Many of the violating stores continue to operate, including those which go over the 9 violation threshold which AliExpress pledges in its IPP policy leads to membership termination of violating sellers. So far, 451 complaints against pirated use of my intellectual property have been filed, as can been seen as part of this useful IPP dashboard provided by AliBaba:

Every day, however, new violations of existing register designs appear, and completely new unregistered designs are discovered (before being duly registered with AliExpress.) It has literally become a game of whack-a-mole. 

Intellectual Property Pirates

Part 1: The AliExpress Bazaar of Bootleggers

AliExpress Piracy  Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4   |  Part 5  | Part 6 | Fight Back

 

Ah, the joys of being a creative soul in the digital age. You pour your heart and soul into your designs, sweat over every detail, and finally, with a flourish, you offer them up for sale on platforms like Redbubble. Then, one fine day, you discover that your beloved creations have been hijacked, cloned, and plastered all over AliExpress by some opportunistic pirate masquerading as an “entrepreneur.” Welcome to the world of intellectual property theft, where your hard work becomes the plaything of knockoff artists.

Liu Hongjing’s Smear Department Store licence

Picture this: you’ve just discovered that your designs, those 350 or so painstakingly crafted artworks, have been swiped and are being hawked on AliExpress by all kinds of Sellers, in this one example a certain Shop1102398164. Let’s give it a name, shall we? Meet Liu Hongjing’s shop, nestled somewhere in the bustling heart of Danzhou City, Hainan Province, China. Liu’s specialty? Women’s fashion. The products? A cornucopia of dubious designs, some of which are so horrendous they make you wonder if Liu Hongjing is having a perpetual existential crisis.

Now, imagine browsing through Liu’s emporium of sartorial missteps. There’s a blouse featuring your drawing of Winston Churchill, looking as if he just realized he’s been reanimated in polyester. Or perhaps a dress adorned with Margaret Thatcher’s stern visage, guaranteed to make any social gathering awkward. For the historically inclined, how about a sweatshirt with Otto Von Bismarck’s mug? Because nothing says “fashion-forward” like a 19th-century German statesman.

Liu’s shop is one of many—millions, in fact—each peddling around 3000 products across 75 pages of questionable fashion choices. It’s like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. You file a complaint, the AliBaba overlords may or may not shut down the store, and voilà! A new shop, with a fresh string of digits, pops up almost instantly, ready to continue the cycle of thievery.

July 13, 2024: The Wild West of Print on Demand

The extent of infringement happening on the other side of the globe is well-documented. But when it dawns on you that your own creativity has been pirated, the impact is deeply personal. It’s as if these low-level crooks have sneaked into your creative sanctuary, snatched your precious ideas, and are now profiting from your labour. These aren’t terrorists, human traffickers, or arms dealers—they’re just petty thieves making a living off the back of unsuspecting creators like you.

The internet has turned the piracy game into a bonanza. Willful and unsuspecting consumers alike are lured into buying these cheap knockoffs, blissfully unaware—or uncaring—that they’re supporting a network of intellectual property theft. It’s a marketplace that has existed forever and will continue to thrive, as long as there are designs to steal and buyers to swindle.

As a creator, the path to justice is frustratingly tedious. The process of having these pirated products removed from platforms like AliExpress is laborious and slow. Each complaint feels like a drop in the ocean, barely making a dent in the vast sea of counterfeit goods. But, like a determined whack-a-mole player, you persist, hammering away at each new infringement, hoping that one day, the game will change in favour of the creators.

 CBC: We bought dozens of products from AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Walmart and Wish. Over half were suspected fakes

So here’s to you, Liu Hongjing, and all your fellow pirates. You may keep popping up with your numbered shops and dubious designs, but know this: creators like us will keep fighting back. Because our creativity, our art, and our intellectual property are worth more than your cheap knockoffs will ever be.

Until then, to all the buyers out there—if you see a t-shirt with Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, or Otto Von Bismarck on it, think twice. Chances are, you’re not just buying a piece of low quality clothing with low resolution art; you’re buying a piece of someone’s stolen creativity.