Twenty One Pilots take Temu to court over counterfeit items

Twenty One Pilots have filed a lawsuit against Chinese online retailer Temu, accusing the company of trademark violations, unfair business practices, and misuse of their likeness.

The case, brought in US federal court, claims that Temu has been creating and distributing a wide range of counterfeit items that imitate the group’s official merchandise.

In the filing, the band points out that Temu’s catalog features “a myriad of items that are counterfeit or blatant copies” of Twenty One Pilots' clothing and accessories. They argue that these imitation products suggest a false connection between the band and the platform, misleading fans and harming their reputation.

The lawsuit includes extensive evidence, with multiple side-by-side comparisons of official products and alleged copies. One notable example shows an authentic Twenty One Pilots shirt priced at $35 next to a nearly identical version offered on Temu for $7.54. The band’s attorneys argue this practice undermines their sales and confuses buyers.

Their legal team also presents Temu as part of a larger issue within global trade.

The court papers read: “Temu is widely understood to be one of the most unethical companies operating in today’s global marketplace.

“Its business practices are believed to pose great threats to individuals, marketplaces, and the environment.”

The duo, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, are asking for a permanent court order that would stop the manufacturing and selling of any infringing goods, along with a full recall of all counterfeit items. They are also requesting financial damages, noting that deliberate infringement could allow for statutory payments of as much as $2 million for each counterfeit trademark tied to every type of product sold.

The lawsuit arrives just days before the group is set to release their new album, Breach, on Friday (12.09.25).