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Shein accuses Temu of 'industrial scale' copyright breaches in UK legal battle
On Monday, the London High Court began a two-week trial between Chinese e-commerce rivals Shein and Temu addressing allegations of copyright infringement regarding product photography used to advertise clothing.
Shein accused its competitor of copyright infringement "on an industrial scale," alleging Temu used thousands of stolen images to "piggy-back" on its investments, while Temu contends the litigation aims to stifle market competition.
Shein's lawyer Benet Brandreth told the court Temu dropped its defense regarding nearly 2,300 photos, likening the move to "the defendant waiting to see if the witnesses will turn up, only to plead guilty."
Temu filed a countersuit seeking damages after Shein obtained an injunction, arguing the case has "nothing to do with the protection of any intellectual creativity" but is a competitive tactic.
This dispute is part of a global legal battle between the companies, which faces intensifying regulatory scrutiny and potential growth challenges following the removal of U.S. customs exemptions for low-value e-commerce parcels last year.