Shein Sues Temu Over Copyright Theft in London High Court 2026

Key Points

• Shein has accused Temu of copyright infringement “on an industrial scale” involving around 2,300 product photographs used to advertise look-alike clothing on Temu’s website.
• The two-week trial opened on Monday, 11 May 2026, at London’s High Court in the Business and Property Courts.
• Shein’s barrister Benet Brandreth stated that Temu sought to “steal a march on an existing participant in the market” and gain an “unfair advantage” by piggy-backing on Shein’s established position.
• Temu has abandoned its defence on the 2,300 images, shifting focus to damages, injunctions, and counter-claims.
• Temu counter-claims that Shein uses litigation to stifle competition, seeks damages for thousands of removed product listings due to an injunction, and alleges Shein breaches competition law via exclusive supplier agreements.
• A Temu spokesperson noted on Tuesday that the High Court ruled in Temu’s favour in April regarding 15 of 20 sample product listings after Shein dropped that portion.[ from query]
• The competition aspects may go to trial next year; a ruling on the current trial is unlikely before late summer 2026.
• This is part of broader global disputes, including US lawsuits over trade secrets and antitrust claims.
• Temu values its counter-claim at £4.2 million, which Shein disputes.

London (The Londoner News) May 12, 2026 – Online fast-fashion giants Shein and Temu clashed in London’s High Court on Monday as Shein accused its rival of widespread copyright infringement involving thousands of its product images. The allegations centre on Temu’s alleged use of Shein’s photographs to promote copycat clothing, in what Shein describes as a calculated bid to exploit its market position. Temu vehemently denies the claims, countering that Shein wields lawsuits as a weapon to crush competition in the cut-throat ultra-fast fashion sector.

What sparked the copyright allegations against Temu?

Shein contends that Temu systematically copied around 2,300 photographs originally created by Shein employees to showcase its own-brand clothing.

As reported by Reuters journalist Mina Koren of The Independent, Shein alleges Temu deployed these images to advertise “look-alike” garments on its platform, enabling faster product page launches at reduced cost.

Shein’s barrister Benet Brandreth told the court:

“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.”

Brandreth likened Temu’s initial stance to

“the defendant waiting to see if the witnesses will turn up, only to plead guilty,”

after Temu dropped its defence on the images.

According to TNW reporter Matthew Brennan, the infringement occurred “on an industrial scale,” allowing Temu to piggy-back on Shein’s established brand visibility.

How has Temu responded to Shein’s claims?

Temu denies all allegations of wrongdoing. A Temu spokesperson stated on Tuesday that the High Court ruled in Temu’s favour in April concerning 15 of 20 sample product listings, after Shein withdrew that part of its case.

As covered by Quartz journalists, Temu argues Shein’s lawsuit is

“not a legitimate attempt to stop copyright infringement but is designed to secure a competitive advantage.”

Temu has effectively conceded the copyright issue by abandoning its defence, pivoting to disputes over remedies.

Temu-owned by PDD Holdings-filed a counter-claim seeking damages after removing thousands of listings following a Shein-obtained injunction.

The spokesperson emphasised that Shein is “using litigation to limit competition,” echoing broader accusations of anti-competitive tactics.

What are the details of Temu’s counter-claims?

Temu accuses Shein of violating UK competition law through exclusive manufacturing agreements that bar suppliers from working with rivals like Temu.

As reported by The Next Web’s Matthew Brennan, these “locking” deals prevent workshops from selling to competing platforms, potentially constituting restraint of trade.

Temu quantifies its claim at £4.2 million (approximately $5.5 million) for disrupted sales, a figure Shein contests. According to Reuters via Yahoo Finance, Temu’s lawyers described Shein as

“flooding Temu with unwarranted notices of copyright infringement, disrupting the sale of products.”

The competition portion, transferred partly to the Competition Appeal Tribunal by Mrs Justice Bacon in July 2025, is slated for trial next year. Temu seeks to unwind these supplier ties under UK law.

Who are the key figures and proceedings in the trial?

The trial, presided over in the Business and Property Courts, spans two weeks for evidence presentation. No specific judge name has been publicly detailed beyond prior involvement by Mrs Justice Bacon in case management.

Shein’s lead counsel is Benet Brandreth, who framed the case as Temu’s bid for unfair market gain. Temu’s legal team, unnamed in reports, focuses on rebutting via competition arguments. Brick Court Chambers’ Tom Pascoe acts for Shein in related aspects, noted as a top 2026 case.

Proceedings continue, with a ruling not expected before late summer 2026. Regulators in Brussels, Washington, and London monitor closely.

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What is the background of Shein vs Temu rivalry?

This High Court battle forms part of a multi-front war. Shein sued Temu in Britain last year over Whaleco UK Limited (Temu’s UK entity under PDD Holdings). Temu countersued in February over supplier exclusives.

Globally, Shein filed in Washington D.C. federal court alleging Temu’s “coordinated scheme” of trade secret theft, including an employee swiping top-seller data to produce knock-offs.

Temu blocks brand removals and runs fake Shein social accounts, Shein claims.

In the US, a judge dismissed some Temu antitrust claims but allowed fraudulent copyright takedown allegations to proceed. Separate EU and Singapore suits exist amid de minimis exemption closures impacting low-value imports.

Why does this trial matter for fast fashion?

The case spotlights e-commerce IP enforcement, supplier dynamics, and platform competition. Shein, prepping a public listing (shifted from Hong Kong to London), faces scrutiny from UK CMA on pricing and consumer protection since 2024.

Temu, Nasdaq-listed via PDD, challenges Shein’s dominance in ultra-cheap apparel. Potential outcomes could reshape exclusive deals, image usage, and litigation as competition tools.

Broader implications include US tariff changes post-2025 Trump policies and EU rules from July 2026, curbing both firms’ growth models reliant on cheap Chinese imports.

What happens next in the Shein-Temu dispute?

The High Court will assess damages, injunctive relief, and competition counter-claims over the coming weeks. A full judgment may take months, with competition trial possibly in 2027.

Neither firm commented beyond court on Monday. Observers, including Shein’s bankers, watch for listing impacts. Global regulators eye precedents on fast-fashion supply chains.

Investing.com reported the opening, noting Shein’s bid to protect its market position against Temu’s rise.