When selling colorful home decor items or stationery on e-commerce platforms, many merchants may not realize that seemingly harmless animal patterns or abstract designs could expose them to significant legal liabilities. Recent lawsuits filed by the prominent U.S. law firm Keith on behalf of multiple artists have highlighted the growing copyright compliance challenges facing cross-border sellers.
Artists Enforce Copyrights Through Legal Action
On September 30, 2025, Keith filed a lawsuit (Case No. 25-cv-11936) in Illinois federal court representing artist Agata Wnuk, who operates under the brand Hello Cloudy. The Polish freelance illustrator specializes in vibrant, whimsical designs featuring animals and plants, which are widely used in home decor, stationery, and book illustrations. The complaint alleges unauthorized commercial use of her copyrighted works.
Within the same week, the firm initiated three separate copyright infringement cases (25-cv-11921, 25-cv-12085, and 25-cv-12200) for American abstract artist Elizabeth Karlson between September 30 and October 6, 2025. Karlson's distinctive alcohol ink paintings, characterized by their rich textures and calming color palettes, have similarly been subject to alleged unauthorized reproduction.
Compliance Challenges for Online Merchants
The concentration of these cases underscores systemic copyright compliance issues in cross-border e-commerce. Many sellers inadvertently violate intellectual property rights during product selection and design phases, often due to insufficient awareness of copyright protections or inadequate vetting processes.
Legal experts recommend these preventive measures for online merchants:
- Enhance copyright education: Understand fundamental copyright principles and protected works categories
- Conduct thorough due diligence: Verify licensing status of all design elements with suppliers
- Secure proper authorization: Obtain written permissions and pay required licensing fees
- Develop original content: Invest in proprietary designs to eliminate infringement risks
- Consult legal professionals: Seek specialized advice for complex copyright questions
Settlement Services and Ongoing Risks
The market has seen proliferation of settlement service providers offering to negotiate infringement claims, often promoting connections with U.S. legal teams and competitive settlement terms. However, merchants should carefully evaluate such services' credentials before engagement.
Legal analysts caution that settlements don't constitute permanent solutions, emphasizing that sustained compliance requires systemic changes in merchants' copyright practices. As cross-border e-commerce competition intensifies, proper intellectual property management has become essential for maintaining marketplace standing and consumer trust.