Shein says legal dispute with Lacoste ongoing

• The damages award of €110,000 stems from a dispute over unauthorized sale of products bearing Lacoste's trademark crocodile logo on Shein's e-commerce platform
• Shein stated it takes intellectual property protection seriously and promptly removed the disputed products after being notified by Lacoste
• The case remains in progress with no final ruling on the substantive merits, as the court decision only addressed interim proceedings

Summary: Shein-Lacoste Legal Dispute Update

Key Development:

A French court awarded luxury brand Lacoste €110,000 ($125,741) in damages on July 9, 2026, in a legal dispute with fast-fashion retailer Shein over intellectual property infringement. The case centers on the unauthorized sale of items featuring Lacoste's iconic crocodile logo on Shein's platform.

Company Response:

Shein emphasized that the court decision represents only interim proceedings, with substantive litigation still ongoing and no final determination reached on the case's merits. A company spokesperson stated that Shein "takes the protection of intellectual property rights seriously" and cooperated with Lacoste by promptly removing the disputed products once notified.

Companies Involved:

• Shein: Global fast-fashion e-commerce platform known for low-cost apparel
• Lacoste: Established French luxury brand founded in 1933 by tennis champion Rene Lacoste, whose nickname "The Crocodile" inspired the famous logo. Swiss family-held company Maus Freres acquired Lacoste in 2012.

Market Implications:

This case highlights ongoing tensions between fast-fashion platforms and luxury brands over intellectual property protection. The dispute underscores the challenges luxury brands face in protecting their trademarks in the digital marketplace, particularly against e-commerce giants offering counterfeit or unauthorized merchandise. The relatively modest damages award may set a precedent for similar cases, though the final outcome remains pending. The case also reflects broader regulatory scrutiny of fast-fashion platforms' intellectual property compliance practices.