Temu is facing a lawsuit from the estate of the late rapper MF Doom, alleging that the online retail giant has been selling counterfeit versions of MF Doom merch and used the rapper’s name and likeness in violation of US and California laws.
In a lawsuit filed on Monday (August 11) with the US District Court for the Central District of California, Gas Drawls – a company that owns the rights to Doom’s music library and IP – said Temu is liable for widespread trademark infringement by sellers on the platform.
“Instead of policing its products to guard against infringement, [Temu] chooses to profit from sales of such products, in disregard of artist and brand rights,” stated the complaint, which can be read in full here.
The complaint includes screenshots of dozens of products it says infringe the MF Doom wordmark, the mask that the rapper famously wore on stage, and the rapper’s name and likeness.
Besides trademark and name and likeness infringement, the complaint also alleges six other charges, including unfair competition and false endorsement – because the use of MF Doom’s name and trademarks “creat[ed] the false impression that the plaintiff endorses Temu.”
Gas Drawls made it clear that it doesn’t want to be associated with the online retailer, which it called “one of the most unethical companies operating in today’s global marketplace.”
“Instead of policing its products to guard against infringement, [Temu] chooses to profit from sales of such products, in disregard of artist and brand rights.”
Gas Drawls, in a legal complaint against Temu
Citing allegations made in other US court cases against Temu, the complaint alleges that the retailer “has ‘flooded the United States with cheap products’ and its ‘app operates as malware’ that ‘unlawfully exfiltrate[s]’ sensitive user data, which then ‘naturally flows to its powerful patron – the Chinese Communist Party.’”
It also cited a Select Committee investigation into the retailer, which concluded that it is “virtually guaranteed that Temu has violated US law by sending into the US ‘products made with forced labor’ on a ‘regular basis.’”
It also cited a recent lawsuit which alleged that “Temu’s entire operation is a scam, with Temu losing ‘30-50 percent on every US order placed.’”
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to stop Temu from selling MF Doom merch and a court order requiring the retailer to immediately recall and remove all advertising of those products.
It also seeks disgorgement of proceeds from the sale of those products, and punitive damages “in an amount sufficient to deter Temu from their wrongful conduct.”
MF Doom is the stage name of Daniel Dumile, one of the most highly-respected rappers of the past few decades. Dumile died in 2020 at the age of 49 from an adverse reaction to blood pressure medicine he had been prescribed.
Dumile formed Gas Drawls in 2011 with his wife and business partner, Jasmine Dumile Thompson, to be the official direct marketplace for MF Doom merch and Dumile’s Metalface Records LLC. Gas Drawls takes its name from a track on Doom’s debut album Operation: Doomsday.
The lawsuit against Temu follows a legal dispute between Doom’s widow and his former A&R, Eothen ‘Egon Alapatt.
In a case filed in 2023, Thompson sued Alapatt for copyright infringement, fraud, unjust enrichment and other charges, alleging Alapatt had taken dozens of notebooks in which Doom had written down rap lyrics and other ideas.
That matter was settled out of court earlier this year, with Alapatt returning the notebooks to Thompson.Music Business Worldwide
