Fast Fashion Brand Shein Hit With IP Suit Alleging Racketeering

Shein Distribution Corp. was sued by a group of graphic designers who claim the company engaged in “systematic intellectual property infringement"—amounting to a violation of federal racketeering law—by directly copying their designs.

The complaint, filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Central District of California, said the China-based online retailer has engaged in a “continuous pattern” of copyright and trademark infringement and that Shein’s labyrinthine corporate structures amount to a civil violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. “It is not an exaggeration to suggest that Shein’s pattern of misconduct involves commission of new copyright and ...