Shein Loses UK Copyright Lawsuit Against Temu Over Clothing Photos
Legal Battle Between Fast-Fashion Giants Shein and Temu
Overview of the Lawsuit
LONDON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Online fast-fashion platform Shein on Thursday lost its London lawsuit against rival Temu for alleged copyright infringement in relation to photos of some of its products.
The ruling, which comes as Shein aims for a $30 billion to $40 billion valuation in a Hong Kong initial public offering, concerns the first round of their London legal battle.
Details of the Court Ruling
Shein's Copyright Claims Dismissed
Thursday's ruling dismissed Shein's claims for copyright infringement and upheld Temu's counterclaim, seeking damages for having to remove listings when Shein obtained an injunction.
Reactions from Both Companies
Shein's Response
A Shein spokesperson said the company was surprised by the ruling: "We do not believe that is the right outcome for brands and rights holders seeking to protect their copyright online."
Temu's Response
Temu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Background and Ongoing Disputes
Allegations and Counterclaims
At the start of the trial in May, Shein accused Temu of breaching its copyright "on an industrial scale", using its photos to advertise copies of Shein's own-brand clothing to "piggy-back" on a more established competitor.
Temu – owned by PDD Holdings – denied the allegations and argued that Shein was using litigation to stifle competition.
Future Legal Proceedings
Temu's separate counterclaim, alleging that Shein broke competition law by tying fast-fashion suppliers to exclusive agreements, is due to go to trial next year.
International Legal Disputes
Shein and Temu, which have expanded rapidly in international markets with low-cost clothing, accessories and gadgets, have also sued each other in the U.S.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; additional reporting by Helen Reid; editing by William James)
