Temu and ICQRF Partner to Protect GIs Online

Temu and ICQRF Partner on Agri-Food GIs

Temu and Italy's Central Inspectorate for Fraud Repression and Quality Protection of Agri-Food Products signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Rome, as reported by PR Newswire M&A. The agreement establishes a cooperation framework focused on prevention, seller guidance, information exchange, and the protection of Geographical Indications on Temu's marketplace. The accord was signed in conjunction with an event marking ICQRF's 40th anniversary and places a strong emphasis on proactive measures against unfair commercial practices.

ICQRF operates as part of Italy's Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests. It functions as the competent authority responsible for official controls on agri-food and wine products, holding specific responsibilities relating to Geographical Indications. The agency is also part of the European network of competent national and European Union authorities involved in GI protection and cooperates with stakeholders on agri-food and wine verification, alongside designating and supervising public and private entities responsible for control and certification activities.

Regulatory Goals and Framework Execution

The agreement establishes an ongoing framework for cooperation and information exchange between Temu and ICQRF. Both organizations will maintain dedicated points of contact to facilitate regulatory clarification, address practical issues, and coordinate the monitoring and development of activities under the Memorandum of Understanding. Temu and ICQRF will also meet periodically to evaluate and develop joint initiatives aimed at strengthening the protection of GIs and preventing unfair commercial practices online.

Dr. Felice Assenza, head of department at ICQRF, said the agreement represents another key milestone in the agency's strategy to protect Geographical Indications in international digital markets. He noted that structured cooperation with leading online marketplaces is essential to combat online infringements and make the protection of quality products increasingly effective. He added that ICQRF found a partner in Temu that is attentive and responsive to the need for effective protection and has demonstrated a genuine willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation from the outset. Similar regulatory pressures and pricing dynamics continue to shape operations across cross-border digital platforms as regulators scrutinize compliance standards globally.

Brand Registry Integration and Marketplace Governance

Temu has introduced a dedicated GI category within its global Brand Registry, strengthening the tools available to GI rights holders worldwide. Rights holders and authorized agents can register their GI rights by submitting the relevant registration details and supporting documentation for Temu's review. Once approved, they can report potentially infringing listings directly through Temu's Brand Protection Center, providing a clearer and more streamlined route for GI-related complaints.

A Temu spokesperson stated that Geographical Indications form an important part of Italy's renowned agri-food heritage, and protecting them in the digital environment requires close cooperation across the ecosystem. The spokesperson added that the agreement allows the platform to combine prevention, information, guidance for sellers, and ongoing information exchange with effective mechanisms for addressing potential infringements. By working together, the companies aim to promote best practices across the marketplace and strengthen the protection of Geographical Indications online. Meanwhile, platform operators and enterprise technology providers are expanding compliance infrastructure to address rising governance demands.

For Temu, the agreement builds on its ongoing work to advance intellectual property protection and promote best practices across its marketplace. Intellectual property protection serves as a core pillar of Temu's platform governance, supported by comprehensive policies and measures designed to protect rights holders. Temu is a global e-commerce platform connecting consumers with millions of manufacturers, brands, and business partners, operating in more than 90 markets worldwide to provide affordable products.