Suzette Quintanilla, the sister of the late Tejano music icon Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, has filed a federal lawsuit against fast fashion retailer Shein, accusing the company of selling clothing featuring her sister’s name and likeness without any permission or compensation. The lawsuit was filed on March 11, 2026, in the California Central District Court.
A Legacy Legally Protected Since 1989
Suzette and her family’s company, Q Productions, holds federally registered trademarks for Selena‘s name, image, and likeness; rights the company has actively maintained since at least 1989. According to court documents, Shein manufactured and sold “countless T-shirts and related merchandise” bearing those protected marks without authorization. The suit names Shein Distribution Corporation, Shein US Services, and Shein Technology LLC as defendants.
A Cease and Desist That Went Ignored
Before heading to court, Q Productions gave Shein the chance to make it right. Around August 1, 2025, the company sent Shein a formal cease and desist letter demanding an immediate stop to the sales. Shein did not comply, and the unauthorized merchandise continued to be sold on its platform, forcing Suzette to escalate the matter to federal court.
What the Lawsuit Says
Suzette is pursuing 3 legal claims: trademark infringement, unfair competition, and violations of California publicity rights. She is asking the court to permanently ban Shein from producing or selling any Selena-related merchandise, and is seeking a full return of all profits Shein earned from the unauthorized products, plus additional damages and legal fees.
Shein’s Response
A Shein spokesperson said, “When we were made aware that the products in question were being sold on Shein Marketplace by third-party sellers, we immediately removed the listings from our platform and launched an investigation.” The company also added, “Shein requires sellers to comply with company policy and certify that their products do not infringe third-party intellectual property. We take all claims of infringement seriously and act swiftly when valid complaints are raised by IP rights holders.”
A Pattern of Infringement Allegations
This is far from Shein‘s first run in with intellectual property claims. The fast fashion platform, headquartered in Singapore with manufacturing operations out of Guangzhou, China, has faced repeated legal scrutiny over knockoff and unauthorized merchandise being sold through its third-party marketplace. For Q Productions and the Quintanilla family, protecting Selena‘s legacy, more than 30 years after her passing, remains a firm priority. The case is currently ongoing, and no ruling has been issued.
