Shein Intensifies Legal Battle Against Temu with New Copyright Lawsuit

The ongoing legal feud between fast-fashion giants Shein and Temu has escalated, as Shein has filed a fresh lawsuit against its rival, accusing the China-founded shopping platform of copyright infringement, design theft, and deceptive practices.

Filed in a Washington federal court this week, Shein’s latest complaint alleges that Temu, which has rapidly gained popularity in the U.S., has been subsidizing its low prices by encouraging sellers to offer counterfeit goods, stolen designs, and substandard products. Shein’s lawsuit claims that Temu’s business model is built on exploiting intellectual property rights, a tactic that has allowed it to undercut competitors in the fast-fashion market.

This legal action comes as Shein itself faces multiple lawsuits from brands and designers accusing it of similar misconduct—stealing designs and selling imitations on its platform. The new suit against Temu underscores the intensifying rivalry between the two companies, both of which have previously clashed in U.S. courts.

Responding to the lawsuit, a Temu spokesperson expressed disbelief, stating, “Shein, buried under its own mountain of IP lawsuits, has the nerve to fabricate accusations against others for the very misconduct they’re repeatedly sued for.”

This lawsuit follows a series of legal skirmishes between the two companies. In earlier court battles, Temu accused Shein of coercing clothing manufacturers into unfair supply chain agreements, effectively blocking them from doing business with Temu. Shein countered with allegations that Temu engaged in deceptive business practices, including creating fake social media accounts under Shein’s name to mislead consumers and direct them to Temu’s platform.

Both companies dropped those lawsuits in October, but the hostilities resumed in December when Temu filed another lawsuit against Shein, accusing it of employing “mafia-style intimidation” to pressure suppliers and stifle Temu’s growth in the U.S. market.

In its latest complaint, Shein’s attorneys allege that a Temu employee stole “valuable trade secrets” from Shein, including information on best-selling products and internal pricing strategies. They also reiterated claims that Temu has misrepresented itself as Shein through fake social media accounts and sponsored Google ads designed to redirect customers to Temu’s website.

The intensifying legal battle between Shein and Temu highlights the fierce competition in the fast-fashion industry, with both companies vying for dominance in the lucrative U.S. market.