Online marketplaces like Temu, Amazon, AliExpress, and Shein accused of appropriating artwork from various artists without their consent.
Micaela Alcaino, a renowned British illustrator and book designer, found her artwork being used without her permission on several online marketplaces, including Temu. This unauthorised use led to the removal of her items from Temu after the issue was brought to light.
The incident highlights the growing problem of online theft of book cover designs, exacerbated by factors such as AI technology and fast fashion trends. These dynamics contribute to more frequent occurrences of artwork being copied and sold without consent, particularly in fast-moving e-commerce platforms like Temu.
In Alcaino's case, her original book cover artwork was used on products unrelated to books—household items—which shows how book cover art can be misappropriated and commercialized in other product categories online without artists' approval.
Temu is not the only platform offering a wide variety of paintings at affordable prices. Online marketplaces like Aliexpress, Amazon, and some vendors on Shein also provide a vast selection of artworks. These e-commerce platforms earn a commission from moderating sales on their sites. However, it's worth noting that some vendors on these platforms have questionable ethics, contributing to the vast selection.
Shein, unlike the other platforms, does not operate as a marketplace and only sells its own products. This means that the ethical concerns surrounding the sale of unauthorised artwork do not apply to Shein.
On Temu, Micaela Alcaino's artwork is being sold printed on various products like covers, towels, rugs, and shower curtains. The selection on Temu includes abstract paintings, watercolor still lifes, and whimsical celebrity portraits, among others.
Micaela Alcaino expressed her displeasure about her artwork being used in this manner, emphasising the importance of artists' rights in the digital age. As online marketplaces continue to grow, it's crucial for platforms to implement stricter measures to protect artists' work and ensure ethical sales practices.
[1] The Guardian. (2021, August 12). Award-winning book designer's cover art stolen and sold on online marketplaces. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/aug/12/award-winning-book-designer-micaela-alcaino-cover-art-stolen-and-sold-on-online-marketplaces
[2] The Bookseller. (2021, August 10). Micaela Alcaino's cover art stolen and sold on online marketplaces. Retrieved from https://www.thebookseller.com/news/micaela-alcaino-cover-art-stolen-and-sold-on-online-marketplaces-962824
- The incident involving Micaela Alcaino's artwork highlights the growing problem of unauthorized use of book cover designs, as these designs, like other forms of art, are often found on home-and-garden products, such as covers, towels, rugs, and shower curtains, on platforms like Temu.
- In the digital age, where online marketplaces offer a wide variety of affordable artworks for interior-design purposes, it's essential for these platforms to prioritize artists' rights and implement stricter measures to ensure ethical sales practices, as unauthorized use of artwork can significantly impact an artist's lifestyle and reputation.
