Despite capturing the market for value-seeking Gen-Z shoppers by offering them huge varieties of cheap apparels, Chinese apparel giant Shein faces multiple complaints of copyright theft from big brands and boutique designers. As per a Market Watch report, its current value exceeding $100 billion and the support of its big-ticket investors like Sequoia Capital China and General Atlantic enables Shein to offer cut-rate prices to consumers besides helping it form new collaborations with online influencers and offer upto 6,000 new items a day.
Many contemporaries have alleged the company’s designs are influenced by others. Around 50 federal lawsuits have been filed against Shein or its Hong Kong-based parent company, Zoetop Business in the US alleging trademark or copyright infringement, according to public records. Complainants include both small-time designers and big retail giants including a unit of Ralph Lauren and sunglasses maker Oakley Inc, Independent designers too have complained against theft of products stories or designs on social media.
