Chinese fast-growing fashion firm, Shein, has been slammed a lawsuit filed by group of designers for stealing their work.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Krista Perry, Larissa Martinez, and Jay Baron.
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They accused the company of repeatedly stealing independent artists’ works as part of an ongoing pattern of racketeering.
According to the designers, Shein’s design algorithm generates exact copies of their creations, which can severely harm the careers of independent designers.
They assert that Shein’s artificial intelligence is capable of appropriating the designs with the greatest commercial potential, further exacerbating the damages.
The lawsuit emphasizes its claims with side-by-side comparisons, presenting visual evidence of the alleged copyright infringement.
The designers argue that Shein’s utilization of AI-powered practices violates the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The law was enacted in 1970 to combat organized crime, originally targeting the American Mafia.
The designers, seeking a jury trial, assert in their suit that Shein’s misconduct involves a collective association of entities rather than an isolated act by a single entity.
They contend that RICO is relevant to this case because it was specifically designed to address the misconduct of individual participants within larger enterprises.
When approached for comment, Shein addressed SurgeZirc NG, expressing its commitment to taking such claims seriously and vowing to vigorously defend itself against the allegations.
Shein, valued at $66 billion and known as one of the fastest-growing online retailers globally, has faced previous accusations of mistreating artists, workers, and the environment.
The company has previously acknowledged violating local labor laws, contributing to its tarnished reputation.
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Despite these controversies, Shein has attempted to rebrand itself as an environmentally and socially conscious firm.
However, its marketing efforts, including a recent influencer campaign, have backfired and faced significant criticism.
