Artist sues fast fashion giant Shein for US$100 million over ‘stolen’ design

An American freelance artist has sued Chinese speedy vogue retailer Shein for US$100 million ($143 million), alleging the enterprise copied her artwork without the need of permission.

In accordance to Sourcing Journal, Florida artist Maggie Stephenson, a freelance illustrator for publications who has 111,000 followers on Instagram, made a work called  “One is excellent, much more is better” which now options on a assortment of items sold by Shein. Solutions by other brand names, like City Outfitters which is authorised to use the structure, are priced from $19 to $300.

Stephenson has submitted a fit from Zoetop Business enterprise Co, the Hong Kong-headquartered business trading as Shein, and Delaware, US-registered Shein Distribution Corp, based mostly in California, with 4 statements covering copyright infringement, and the modifying or absence of copyright administration info.

The filing involves a comparison of her artwork and a wall hanging offered by Shein that appears to function an precise reproduction.

In accordance to the court submitting, Shein delivers the hanging in two measurements — 30×40 and 39×60 — at selling prices beginning from $4. Urban Outfitters sells the 30-by-40-inch copy for $89.

The filing incorporates this comparison of her artwork and a wall hanging marketed by Shein.

Stephenson’s filing argues that by making use of Shein’s identify and emblem on the product’s packaging, Shein has extra “false” copyright management data.

“In carrying out so, defendants not only falsely determine Shein as the creator and copyright proprietor of the first things of the infringing do the job, but defendants also falsely indicate that they are the creator and copyright owner of the primary artwork,” the filing additional, as quoted by Sourcing Journal.

The scenario is not the initially towards Shein alleging copyright infringement. Levi Strauss filed a lawsuit in 2018 that was settled out of court. Other manufacturers to sue consist of Dr Martens and Stussy. Stephenson’s criticism alleges far more than 30 independent steps alleging infringement or unfair levels of competition have been submitted from Shein and Shein Distribution Corp in the Central District of California.

She even further relevant accounts of 4 other artists who discovered their inventive functions experienced been utilised on products being bought by Shein on the internet.

This report was initially posted by Inside of Retail.