Uniqlo Sues Chinese Online Retailer Shein For 'Copying' Its Banana-Shaped Shoulder Bag

Uniqlo petition filed in a Tokyo court demands that Shein immediately stop sale of bags and compensate for the damages incurred.

Japan's clothing and accessories brand Uniqlo is suing Chinese online retailer Shein, claiming that the latter is selling a product that is a copy of its "round mini" it-bag. The popular banana-shaped shoulder bag, which is worn across the torso, had notched up the top spot on the list of fashion tech firm Lyst as the hottest product in the first quarter of 2023.

In a statement, Fast Retailing, which owns Uniqlo, said the Shein product “closely resembles” the Round Mini, and that its petition filed in December 2023 in the Tokyo District Court demands an "immediate cessation of sales of the imitation products, and compensation for damages incurred" by Uniqlo because of the imitation products being sold. The petition has been filed against Shein Japan and its parent groups Roadget and Fashion Choice.

Uniqlo said "the sale of the imitation products by Shein significantly undermines the high level of customer confidence in the quality of the Uniqlo brand and its products”.

The Japanese giant said it “takes a resolute stance against any act that infringes on its intellectual property and will take appropriate measures in response, including legal action”.

Shein has, meanwhile, said it is "investigating this matter". “Shein respects the intellectual property rights of others and takes all claims of infringement seriously. We are currently investigating this matter,” a spokesperson for the Chinese firm was quoted as saying in a report in The Guardian. 

Originally released in April 2022, the Uniqlo Round Mini, which costs Rs 1,490 in India, reportedly sold out seven times last year globally, becoming the bestselling Uniqlo bag of all time. Made of nylon, it measures 28cm x 17cm and is available in various colours and prints.

Uniqlo has put up a note on its website, warning about "counterfeit and imitation versions of the UNIQLO Round Mini Shoulder Bag being sold in outlets and on online shopping sites". Without naming Shein or any other company, the website says Uniqlo is investigating these products and could take legal action if "they are confirmed to be counterfeit or imitations produced with malicious intent".

Not The First Time For Shein

Launched in 2012, Shein is known for its low-cost clothes that it sells to more than 150 countries, according to the company website. It is, however, fighting a number of complaints pertaining to copyright infringement.

Swedish brand H&M last year filed a copyright lawsuit against Shein in Hong Kong, and so did Chrome Hearts, an accessories and apparel brand, in September 2023.

In July last year, three independent US-based designers Krista Perry, Larissa Martinez and Jay Baron filed a lawsuit against Shein, claiming that it sold “exact copies” of their work, in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which also applies to “egregious copyright infringement”, Time reported.

Shein had then told news agency AP that it “takes all claims of infringement seriously, and we take swift action when complaints are raised by valid IP rights holders”.