Shein, Temu Gear Up For 2026 UK Trial Over Copyright, Competition Claims

Online fast-fashion platforms Shein and Temu are preparing for a 2026 trial at London's High Court, with the rivals exchanging allegations of copyright infringement and anti-competitive behavior in competing lawsuits, Sam Tobin reported for Reuters.

Shein sued Temu in Britain last year, accusing Whaleco UK Limited of breaching copyright related to photos of certain products available on the Temu platform. I Photo: Focal Foto Flickr

Shein sued Temu in Britain last year, accusing Whaleco UK Limited—whose ultimate parent is Temu's owner PDD Holdings—of breaching copyright related to photos of certain products available on the Temu platform.

Temu responded with a counterclaim in February, accusing Shein of violating British competition law by tying suppliers of fast-fashion products to exclusive agreements.

This claim is valued at 4.2 million pounds ($5.5 million), and Shein denies the allegations.

Temu's lawyers stated in court documents for a preliminary hearing that Shein is "flooding Temu with unwarranted notices of copyright infringement, disrupting the sale of products."

Their cases at London's High Court are expected to go to trial toward the end of 2026, according to court documents from Shein's lawyers. The London lawsuit is one aspect of a global legal battle between the two rivals. Temu sued Shein in the U.S. in December, and Shein filed its own case against Temu in August.