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Shein Accuses Temu of Mass Copyright Infringement in UK Legal Battle

By  |  May 11, 2026
Shein Accuses Temu of Mass Copyright Infringement in UK Legal Battle

Online fast-fashion marketplace Shein accused rival Temu of committing copyright infringement “on an industrial scale” as a closely watched trial opened at London’s High Court on Monday. Temu, however, rejected the claims and argued that Shein is using legal action as a strategy to suppress competition in the rapidly expanding online retail market.

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    The dispute marks another chapter in an increasingly global legal confrontation between the two companies, whose rapid growth has reshaped the low-cost fashion and consumer goods market. The outcome of the case could influence how online marketplaces handle supplier relationships, intellectual property enforcement, and platform conduct across international e-commerce, according to Reuters.

    Shein alleges that Temu used thousands of images created by Shein employees to promote products that were allegedly copies of Shein’s own-label clothing. The company claims Temu sought to capitalize on the brand recognition of a more established competitor by using the images to attract customers, according to Reuters.

    “This was an attempt to steal a march on an existing participant in the market and Temu has sought to obtain, we say, an unfair advantage,” Shein’s lawyer, Benet Brandreth, told the court.

    Related: Ireland Opens Privacy Probe Into Shein Over Data Transfers to China

    Brandreth also told the court that Temu had withdrawn its defense against Shein’s copyright claims involving nearly 2,300 photographs taken by Shein employees. He compared the move to “the defendant waiting to see if the witnesses will turn up, only to plead guilty,” per Reuters.

    Temu denies the broader allegations and has launched a counterclaim seeking damages after it was forced to remove thousands of product listings following an injunction obtained by Shein. Temu, which is owned by PDD Holdings, argues that Shein’s legal action is not a genuine attempt to protect copyrighted material but rather an effort to gain an unfair edge over a fast-growing competitor, according to Reuters.

    Temu has also accused Shein of violating competition laws by allegedly locking fast-fashion suppliers into exclusive arrangements. That part of the dispute is scheduled to be heard in a separate trial next year.

    The two-week London proceedings represent the latest courtroom clash between the companies, which have also filed lawsuits against each other in the United States. The case comes as both businesses face increased regulatory attention while expanding aggressively into overseas markets with low-cost clothing, accessories, and electronics.

    Growth prospects for both platforms may also face fresh pressure following changes in international trade policy. The removal of a U.S. customs exemption for low-value e-commerce shipments last year, with similar measures expected in the European Union in July, could affect their ability to maintain rapid expansion.

    Source: Reuters