The massive e-commerce company shein is facing multiple lawsuits that accuse it of copyright infringement. Three independent designers have teamed up to sue shein under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, alleging that it steals their designs, selling them as its own without permission. The artists — Krista Perry, Larissa Martinez and Jay Baron — say that Shein violated their copyrights by making exact copies of their designs.
Shein adds about 2000 new pieces to its website every day. Its low prices and fast production make it a Gen Z favorite. But critics say that Shein is exploiting and harming workers, as well as the planet.
Many of Shein’s suppliers are small and informal factories where workers have few rights or protections. They are often paid less than minimum wage, and work excessive hours. Shein’s factories are also not very well regulated. Public Eye, a nonprofit watchdog group, toured 17 Shein suppliers in 2021 and found that employees worked 75-hour weeks. The groups says that Shein must ensure its factories follow ethical and sustainable practices.
It’s important to read reviews before you buy something on Shein. They can give you a good idea of whether it’s the best fit for your body and if it will run small or large. It’s also helpful to check the colors – sometimes the color looks different online than in person. And you can find out more about sizing and quality by reading the comments of other customers who have ordered the items you’re considering.
