UPDATE
A statement on behalf of Shein has been provided to Complex in light of the brand being sued by Von Dutch for trademark infringement.
"SHEIN third-party suppliers and Marketplace sellers are required to comply with company policy and certify their products do not infringe third-party IP,” said a Shein spokesperson. “We continue to invest in and improve our processes and have a dedicated team to ensure both suppliers and sellers are adhering to our strict IP policies. SHEIN takes all claims of infringement seriously, and we take swift action when complaints are raised by valid IP rights holders."
See original story below.
Von Dutch, the iconic fashion brand of the 2000s, is suing Shein for alleged trademark infringement.
In court documents obtained by Complex, a lawsuit was filed by Von Dutch against Shein on Friday (July 5) for federal and state trademark infringement, false designation of origin and misrepresentation.
The brand, which has an original commerce date of 1996, claims that Shein used a variation of its signature flying eyeball logo, the Von Dutch logo, and allowed customers to search for related products by using "deliberate misspellings" despite Von Dutch having sent a cease-and-desist letter.
Von Dutch also pulled an example of a replica t-shirt that was allegedly promoted via Shein’s website, which it called "clearly counterfeit, bearing marks and designs that are identical or substantially indistinguishable from Plaintiff’s genuine, authorized products but of markedly inferior quality."
Formal infringement complaints were sent in February, April and May of this year, all of which Shein acknowledged, but still allowed the alleged infringing items to remain available for purchase.
Von Dutch seeks to receive punitive and exemplary damages that could be determined at trial, along with Shein and brands "acting in concert" with them to cease reproduction of counterfeit items and copycat advertisement.
A past favorite of 2000s celebrities like Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, Von Dutch has seen a 2020s resurgence through partnerships with Young Thug, I.Am.Gia and being the title of a 2024 Charli XCX single that won the British artist a Grammy Award.
Shein has been sued numerous times over the years for alleged unauthorized merch that was originally designed by independent makers and major lifestyle brands.
In March, Suzette Quintanilla, the sister of late Tejano vocalist Selena Quintanilla-Pérez sued the fast fashion company for allegedly using the singer’s image on clothing without authorization.
