User:NoCilantro/sandbox

We are at Boston University.

Trademark Disputes
AirWair International Limited, who are known for the Dr. Martens boots, filed a complaint in California on February 5, 2021. AirWair International accused Shein and its sister company, Romwe, of selling copies of their designs (and calling them "Martins") at a cheaper price while using photos of authentic Dr. Marten shoes to "entice customers," to which Shein responded to with a blanket denial of AirWair International's claims. The trial date is set for April 18, 2022 in San Francisco. On March 2021, Ralph Lauren filed a trademark infringement and unfair competition lawsuit against Zoetop Business Co. (the parent company of Shein). In the complaint, Ralph Lauren said that Zoetop Business Co. selling clothing with a "confusingly mark" to Ralph Lauren's marks was an exploitation of their "goodwill and reputation of genuine Ralph Lauren products."

Impact on Small Fashion Retailers
Shein has been accused of stealing designs and selling them by a number of small fashion retailers. Quinn Jones, who is the co-founder of Kikay (an earring brand in Los Angeles), said that he found earring designs on Shein that were very similar to Kikay's earrings. Elexiay (a Black-owned fashion brand) also claims that Shein stole its design of a pink and green hand-crocheted sweater, which costs $330, but was sold by Shein for $17. Similarly, Reclamare PH and Sincerely RIA, both of which are small fashion brands, have said that Shein has copied their designs on their social media handles. Shein has also been found to copy designs that are not clothing, such as enamel pins. In an effort to bring awareness to Shein's actions and to help support indie brands and artists, the hashtag "boycottShein" has been popular on TikTok.

Copyright Lawsuits Against Shein (a.k.a Zoetop Business Co., Limited)

 * Ann Shen v. Shein Fashion Group, Inc.: This was filed on October 4, 2019 in California.
 * Cat Coven LLC v. Zoetop Business Co., Ltd.: This complaint was first filed on September 13, 2019, which was terminated on September 1, 2020. A second complaint was filed on September 9, 2021. Both were filed in California.
 * Bragel International Inc v. Zoetop Business Co., Ltd.: This was filed on December 20, 2019 in California and was terminated on June 30, 2020.
 * PRL USA Holdings, Inc. v. Zoetop Business Co. Limited: This was filed on March 18, 2021 in California.
 * Tianhai Lace Co. LTD v. Zoetop Business Co. Limited: This was filed on June 29, 2021 in California.
 * Meridian Textiles, Inc. v. Zoetop Business Co., Ltd.: There are two cases that are filed by Meridian Textiles. One was filed on July 2, 2021 and the other was filed on July 13, 2021. Both were filed in California.
 * Matrix International Textiles, Inc. v. Zoetop Business Co., Ltd.: This was filed on September 8, 2021.
 * Katie Thierjung v. Zoetop Business Co., Limited: This was filed on September 9, 2021 in California.


 * Raeha Keller v. Zoetop Business Co., Limited: This complaint was filed on September 9, 2021 in California by Raeha Keller, who is the owner of the brand Ectogasm, for selling her designs (enamel pins, embroidered patches, and other original products).
 * Sara M Lyons v. Zoetop Business Co., Ltd.: This was filed on September 9, 2021 in California.
 * DANDY v. Zoetop Business Co., Limited: This was filed on September 22, 2021 in Pennsylvania.