Graphic Designers Sue Shein, Accusing the Company of Copyright Infringement and Racketeering. A group of graphic designers has filed a lawsuit against Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein, claiming the company engaged in “egregious” copyright infringement and racketeering.
The designers allege that Shein produced and sold exact copies of their designs, facilitated by “secretive algorithms” used to determine fashion trends. The lawsuit argues that Shein’s repeated infringements have enabled the company to amass significant wealth.
The designers also accuse Shein of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), alleging that Shein operates as a “de-facto association of entities” to evade liability. The complaint suggests that Shein’s corporate structure is designed to avoid disclosing crucial information.
In response, Shein has stated its commitment to addressing infringement claims but intends to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit. One of the designers involved in the suit, Krista Perry, alleged that Shein copied her design titled “Make it Fun” and offered her a $500 settlement after she complained.
The lawsuit further claims that Shein deliberately produces small quantities of each design to test for potential complaints about stolen designs before scaling production.
