Shein disputes French court's Lacoste damages ruling
Shein says a legal battle with Lacoste over alleged counterfeiting and brand damage remains unresolved despite a French court awarding the polo shirt maker damages.
Shein said on Friday that its legal dispute with Lacoste is ongoing, after a French court issued a ruling awarding the French sportswear and polo shirt house damages, according to FashionNetwork. The fast-fashion platform's statement suggests it intends to keep contesting the case rather than accept the ruling as final, though the scope of any appeal was not detailed.
The case adds to mounting legal and regulatory pressure on Shein in France and across Europe, where authorities and heritage brands have increasingly targeted the ultra-fast-fashion retailer over alleged intellectual property infringement, product safety and marketplace practices. Lacoste, whose crocodile logo and tennis-derived heritage make it a frequent target for counterfeiters, has been among the more assertive legacy brands in pursuing legal action against fast-fashion platforms accused of copying designs or trading on brand recognition.
The dispute sits alongside broader scrutiny of Shein's business model in the European Union, where lawmakers have moved on customs duty reform and product compliance rules aimed squarely at ultra-low-cost, high-volume platforms. For luxury and premium brands, the case is a marker of how litigation, rather than regulation alone, is becoming a preferred tool to defend brand equity against fast-fashion replication. Watch for further rulings or settlements as similar cases from other heritage houses make their way through French and European courts.
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