Chinese-owned online marketplace Temu has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on E-Commerce with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), joining an intellectual property (IP) protection initiative amid documented concerns over counterfeit products sold on its platform.
In a September 2025 submission to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) reported purchasing 10 likely counterfeit products from Temu across categories including apparel, cosmetics, toys, medicines, and household goods.
The research organization also documented a pet treat product that the brand owner confirmed was fake.
ITIF said Temu subsequently removed nearly every product and vendor identified in its report, although the organization said gaps remained in the platform’s enforcement against counterfeits.
IPOPHL facilitated Temu’s signing following initial discussions during the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Dialogue on IP Protection on E-Commerce in June.
“E-commerce platforms are a significant driver of consumer activity in the Philippines, making them important partners in protecting buyers and legitimate businesses from counterfeit goods. Temu’s participation in the MOU on E-Commerce will further broaden the collaboration among platforms, right holders and IPOPHL on intellectual property protection online,” IPOPHL deputy director general Nathaniel S. Arevalo said.
Other marketplace signatories include Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, and TikTok Shop. These platforms have worked with IPOPHL on public awareness campaigns and IP training for brand owners and online sellers.
Temu entered the Philippine market in 2023. Its parent company, PDD Holdings, maintains its principal executive offices in Dublin, Ireland, while retaining operational and logistical bases in China.
The platform launched its IP Protection Portal in 2023 and its Brand Guardian Initiative in 2024. Temu said the initiative involves regular engagement with more than 3,000 rights holders.
According to the company, its monitoring database covers more than 15,000 brands and uses more than 47 million images and 9.5 million keywords to identify potential infringements before rights holders file complaints.
Temu is also a member of the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC). The platform and the organization have established a joint program providing an escalation channel for takedown requests from IACC member brands.
