filed by three artists and designers claims that Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein is infringing on their intellectual property by making and selling copycat items. The designers’ complaint additionally alleges that the company, “has grown rich by committing individual infringements over and over again” and has deliberately made the unlawful copying of designs a part of its business model.for copyright infringement from other creative professionals in recent years.
The crux of the complaint is a claim that, unlike other companies which may employ human designers to avoid copying the designs of rival firms, Shein automates its design process using software. However, whenconducted a brief search on the career-oriented social network LinkedIn, over 200 results of someone claiming to work at Shein with a “designer” title were found.
For example, the lead plaintiff, Krista Perry, says she designed a piece of art with the phrase “Make it Fun.” Not long after she created the art in 2016, she alleges her design was quickly copied, with prints offered for sale on Shein for $3. She complained about this to the company and was offered $500, which she declined. Later, Shein even offered an unsolicited deal to license her art, which she also declined.
of a corporate structure,” which is why imposing the landmark federal law, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, is necessary, because that law will make it possible to sue the many different corporations and entities that Shein is comprised of.