Hong Kong
CNN
—
Japanese brand Uniqlo is suing Shein, accusing the Chinese fast-fashion retailer of selling counterfeit shoulder bags.
Fast Retailing is a Japanese giant that owns both Uniqlo and Theory. stated in a statement The shape of the “copycat” that Shane sells is similar to Uniqlo’s round mini shoulder bag, which became popular on TikTok and other social media platforms in 2022 and 2023 and sold out multiple times. “It’s similar.”
The crescent-shaped bag, worn across the torso, sold for just $20 and was extremely popular. I made a headline Across global media And it took the top spot on fashion tech company Lyst’s ranking of the most popular products for the first quarter of 2023.
However, the item’s popularity also caused a wave of counterfeit products, and Uniqlo Warn on website It said it was investigating the suspected copying and may take legal action.
Fast Retailing said in a statement that the lawsuit against Shein was filed in Tokyo on December 28, naming three of the brand’s operating companies: Roadget Business Pte, Fashion Choice Pte, and Shein Japan.
The company is demanding “immediate cessation of sales of counterfeit products and compensation for damages suffered by our company as a result of sales.”
The statement said the sale of these counterfeit products had “severely” eroded customer confidence in “the Uniqlo brand and the quality of its products” and said Fast Retailing would take a “resolute stance” against intellectual property infringement. He added that
A spokesperson for Shein’s said in a statement to CNN that the company is “currently investigating this matter.”
“Shane respects the intellectual property rights of others and takes all claims of infringement seriously.”
The shoulder bag first began circulating on TikTok in 2022 and continued to explode in popularity through 2023, with video creators praising its versatility, spaciousness, and affordability.
The most talked-about TikTok about the bag has racked up millions of views, from styling tips to “what’s in my bag” videos to unpacking and luggage reviews. did. As of Wednesday, the hashtag #uniqlobag on TikTok had more than 133.2 million views.
in investor report In the third quarter of 2023, Fast Retailer credited the shoulder bag with generating “significant interest on social media” and expanding its customer base among women and younger shoppers.
This isn’t the first time Shane has faced legal action. controversy. Last year, three graphic designers sued a U.S. retailer for copyright infringement and extortion, alleging that Shein sold exact copies. of their design.
At the time, a Shein spokesperson said the company “vigorously defends itself against this lawsuit and all baseless allegations.”
And in December, Shein was also accused by rival Tem, a Chinese-owned e-commerce site, of using aggressive and illegal tactics to thwart competition. It is the latest development in an ongoing legal battle.