Shein is asking a federal judge to throw out a lawsuit over allegedly unauthorized Selena Quintanilla merchandise, arguing that independent merchants sold the disputed products through its marketplace and that the company cannot be held directly liable for those sales.
The motion, filed Thursday in Los Angeles federal court, targets claims brought by Selena’s sister, Suzette Quintanilla, and Q Productions, the family company that manages rights associated with the late Tejano star. Their lawsuit accuses Shein of profiting from T-shirts and other merchandise featuring Selena’s image and signature cursive logo without permission.
Shein says all of the products identified in the lawsuit came from third-party sellers rather than its own clothing business. The company argues that displaying those listings in search results, processing payments, and fulfilling orders did not make Shein the seller of the allegedly infringing merchandise.
Q Productions takes a broader view of Shein’s role. Its lawsuit alleges the platform helped put the products before consumers, facilitated the transactions, and benefited financially from merchandise that used Selena’s trademarks and likeness without authorization.
The dispute could determine whether those marketplace activities are enough to support direct claims against Shein. The company maintains that existing law distinguishes an online platform from the independent merchants using it to sell goods.
Shein also says it removed every Selena-related product identified by Q Productions and created a filter blocking searches for “Selena” and “Selena Quintanilla” on its platform.
Suzette and Q Productions first sued Shein in March and recently amended their complaint. The case includes federal trademark infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition, and right-of-publicity claims tied to the use of Selena’s name, image, and branding.
According to the lawsuit, unauthorized merchandise could lead shoppers to believe the products were approved by or connected to Selena’s estate. Q Productions has controlled commercial uses of the singer’s name and trademarks for decades following her death in 1995.
Shein’s attorneys argue the complaint instead targets functions common to online marketplaces, including search results, payment processing and order fulfillment. In its filing, the company says courts have rejected efforts to impose direct liability on platforms based solely on those services when third-party merchants supplied the disputed goods.
Similar fights have emerged around other large online marketplaces. Temu has raised third-party seller defenses in merchandise lawsuits brought by Twenty One Pilots and the estate of rapper MF Doom. The MF Doom case settled in June, while the Twenty One Pilots dispute continues.
The Shein case is one of two current legal fights involving Q Productions. Selena’s brother, A.B. Quintanilla III, recently sued Suzette and family businesses over profits generated from Selena’s music and other entertainment properties. Suzette and their mother, Marcella Quintanilla, have disputed his allegations.
Shein’s dismissal request remains pending in federal court as Q Productions prepares to defend its claims over the unauthorized Selena merchandise.
