A wave of counterfeit merchandise has prompted pop star Tate McRae and her management team to file a lawsuit against numerous entities involved in producing and distributing fake Miss Possessive Tour items. The legal action targets widespread intellectual property infringement, as unauthorized products bearing McRae’s name and tour branding have flooded online marketplaces and appeared at concert venues worldwide.
The counterfeit items, ranging from two-piece shorts to falsely signed posters and even fake concert tickets, have been identified on major platforms including AliExpress and Etsy. These products typically sell at considerably lower prices than official merchandise, creating direct competition with authorized vendors and causing substantial revenue losses. The lawsuit specifically addresses trademark violations and copyright infringement while seeking both injunctive relief and monetary damages.
Consumer confusion has become a central issue in the case, with many fans unknowingly purchasing counterfeit goods believing them to be authentic tour merchandise. The situation gained additional attention after several TikTok videos exposing fake merchandise at concerts went viral, highlighting the scope of the problem.
These counterfeits often feature inferior materials and manufacturing standards, potentially exposing consumers to quality and safety concerns. The proliferation of fake merchandise has created measurable impacts on official sales channels, which report declining purchases amid the counterfeit surge. Fans report that authentic concert experiences and VIP packages include legitimate merchandise with verifiable authentication methods.
McRae’s team has subsequently increased marketing efforts to help fans distinguish between authentic and fake products, though enforcement remains challenging due to the decentralized nature of distribution networks spanning digital marketplaces, independent sellers, and street vendors. Affected fans can report intellectual property violations through the Disputes & Reports section in various e-commerce platforms’ Help Centers.
Legal experts note that the case represents a growing trend of artists taking aggressive action against merchandise counterfeiting, which has become increasingly sophisticated in the digital marketplace era. The lawsuit specifically aims to halt production at the source while establishing stronger protections for intellectual property rights in the touring merchandise space, potentially setting precedent for how artists protect their brands in an increasingly complex retail environment. Additionally, the case highlights the importance of proper royalty collection for artists whose visual and audio content is being exploited without authorization. Industry analysts emphasize that merchandise sales represent a crucial income stream for touring musicians, often generating more revenue than ticket sales themselves.
