LONDON, May 11 Online fast-fashion platform Shein accused Temu of copyright infringement “on an industrial scale”, while Temu countered that Shein is using litigation to stifle competition, as a trial opened at London’s High Court on Monday.
The case is part of a global legal battle between the fast-growing rivals, with potential implications for platform practices, supplier relationships and the enforcement of intellectual property rights across global e-commerce
Shein alleges Temu used thousands of its photos to advertise copies of Shein’s own-brand clothing on its website, to “piggy-back” on a more established competitor. “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 said. Temu denies the allegations. TEMU COUNTER-CLAIM OVER REMOVED PRODUCTS Brandreth told the court Temu has dropped its defence to Shein’s copyright claims over nearly 2,300 photos taken by Shein employees, likening it to “the defendant waiting to see if the witnesses will turn up, only to plead guilty”.
Temu – owned by PDD Holdings – has counter-claimed, seeking damages after it had to remove thousands of product listings when Shein obtained an injunction. It also alleges Shein broke competition law by tying fast-fashion suppliers to exclusive agreements. That part of the case is due to go to trial next year.