Shein wins permission to appeal UK copyright fight with Temu

In a precedent-setting hearing, a judge granted Shein the right to appeal a judgment that held Temu accountable for the unauthorised use of thousands of photographs. Shein contends that the original decision failed to consider the platform’s duty to label images as seller-provided, unlike user-generated content on sites like YouTube. Temu, operated by Whaleco UK, argues the points should have been raised at trial and that the judgment was sound.

The presiding judge noted the novelty of applying a hosting defence to an online marketplace, deeming it a compelling reason for appellate review. Shein was also ordered to post a notice about the ruling on its supplier portal for six months. The dispute follows Shein’s recent Hong Kong IPO after earlier failed listings in London and New York.