Uniqlo recently sued Shein for selling knockoffs of its viral shoulder bag to the fast fashion company.
On December 28, Uniqlo filed documents with the Tokyo District Court in Japan, according to a statement from Uniqlo's parent company, Fast Retailing. In the filing, Uniqlo accuses Shein of creating open copies of its mini round shoulder bag, which has become a viral hit on TikTok. The company requested that the Chinese retailer's operators – Roadget Business Pte, Fashion Choice Pte and Shein Japan – immediately cease all production of “imitation products” and compensate the retailer for damages.
Uniqlo called for the “immediate cessation of sales of imitation products and compensation for damages suffered by the company as a result of these sales.”
In another statement, the parent company added that an imitation product “significantly undermines customers' high level of trust in the quality of the Uniqlo brand and its products.”
Regarding the lawsuit, a Shein spokesperson said cnn that the company was “currently investigating this matter.” They added: “Shein respects the intellectual property rights of others and takes all claims of infringement seriously.”
The practical crescent-shaped bag, which has been praised for its androgynous look, was featured in Lyst's Fashion Year 2023 report. It's also remarkably affordable, selling for just $19.90 in the US . Part of its popularity can be attributed to TikTok, which caused the bag to go viral and sell out multiple times throughout 2022 and 2023. From style tips to “what's in my bag” videos, the videos starring The bag garnered millions of views on the platform, with the hashtag #uniqlobag receiving more than 133.2 million views as of January 17.
Fast Retailer cited the shoulder bag for sparking “considerable interest on social media” and expanding its reach among the female and younger demographic, according to a third-quarter 2023 investor report.
But as the bag reached new levels of popularity thanks to social media, Fast Retailing warned consumers about counterfeit versions. He said in a statement: “We are considering taking legal action against the companies that manufacture and sell the products.”
This is not the first time that Shein has been criticized for copying other companies' designs. Chrome Hearts sued the fast fashion retailer in August 2023, alleging that the company was guilty of trademark infringement and unfair competition after it allegedly copied one of the luxury brand's crossover designs.
In December 2023, Chinese fast fashion brand Temu sued Shein, alleging that the company used aggressive and illegal “gangster-style” tactics to undermine competition. The companies have reportedly not yet reached a resolution.
