Shein Faces Lawsuit over Alleged Counterfeit Coach Bags

Tapestry, the owner of luxury brand Coach, has taken legal action against fast fashion giant Shein, accusing it of selling counterfeit versions of Coach products to consumers worldwide.

Tapestry, represented by boutique firm Blakely Law Group, filed a lawsuit on March 13 in a California district court against Shein, alleging trademark infringement, counterfeiting, and unfair competition. The complaint accuses Shein of manufacturing, advertising, and selling “knockoff products to consumers on a global scale” through its websites and mobile apps, including to customers in California.

Lawsuit Claims Shein Sold Fake Coach Products

The lawsuit claims that Shein designs, manufactures, imports, and offers for sale handbags, footwear, and accessories that are “substantially similar” or “confusingly similar” to Coach’s trademarks, including its signature ‘C’ designs, the Coach name, and other logos. These products are sold on Shein’s marketplace, where third-party sellers can list items for sale via Shein’s platform.

When consumers search for ‘Coach’ on Shein’s website, “there is no indication that any of the products originated from a third-party seller, nor is there a clear indication of whether these products are sold on the ‘marketplace’ or what that means,” according to the complaint. The plaintiffs further allege: “Defendants claim that a counterfeit Coach product is ‘100% authentic’, when there has been no communication or verification process from defendants to plaintiffs to determine if the product being sold is in fact authentic.”

Shein Denies Counterfeit Allegations

A Shein spokesperson responded to the allegations, stating: “All products identified in the litigation complaint are certified authentic and have been verified by the sellers. Shein is unwavering in its commitment to protecting brand and intellectual property rights. As part of our due diligence, all Shein marketplace sellers are required to comply with our strict anti-counterfeit policies. We actively enforce these standards through robust monitoring, advanced technology and swift action against violations to safeguard brands, creators and our customers.”

Tapestry is seeking damages and injunctive relief.

Coach and Shein at a glance

• Coach, owned by Tapestry, is renowned for its premium leather and mixed-material handbags and accessories. Court documents note annual sales of more than $4 billion on products bearing Coach’s trademarks.

• Shein is one of the world’s most downloaded fashion shopping apps, with an estimated 238 million downloads in 2023.

Future Outlook

Shein has been involved in several high-profile intellectual property infringement lawsuits involving major brands such as Ralph Lauren, Dr. Martens, and Levi’s. Tapestry’s lawsuit reflects a growing trend of brands taking legal action against online marketplaces that allegedly facilitate the sale of counterfeit goods. Recently, a U.S. judge ruled in favor of Nike in a similar case against sneaker reseller StockX for selling counterfeit Nike shoes.