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💷 How Shein vs Temu could pay off for Freshfields

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Freshfields is helping Shein with a copyright case against Temu — and while the case itself isn’t huge, it could lead to much bigger work. If Shein goes ahead with its £50 billion London IPO, Freshfields could be in line to advise on that too. Law firms often take on lower-value matters to build long-term relationships with clients.

EDITOR’S RAMBLE 🗣

This week brought big news for aspiring solicitors who don’t want to go to university.

The government confirmed it will keep funding Level 7 apprenticeships (the type used to support solicitor apprenticeships).

Let’s break down what this means.

There were real fears that funding to solicitor apprenticeships would be cut. That would have closed the door on one of the main non-university routes into law — especially for students who can’t afford £50k+ in uni debt.

Solicitor apprenticeships are a six-year programme. You work in a law firm, study for a law degree, and then qualify through the SQE. It’s a way to earn while you learn — and avoid the cost of university.

The new rules come in from January 2026.

From then on, funding will only be available for solicitor apprenticeships started by those aged 21 or under.

It’s a big relief for law firms and school leavers. But the age cap has raised concerns.

Some firms offer graduate solicitor apprenticeships — for people who join after uni. If you’re over 21 when you start, you could now miss out on funding.

So, campaigners are asking the government to rethink the part about the age limit.

Still, this decision means the solicitor apprenticeship route is safe — and that's a big win for widening inclusive ways into the legal profession.

- Idin

💷 How Shein vs Temu could pay off for Freshfields

What’s going on here?

In 2023, Shein, a fast-fashion online retailer, took legal action against Temu, a Chinese online marketplace.

Shein is accusing Temu’s UK parent company, Whaleco UK Limited, of copying its designs.

A first hearing in the case will happen this week at the UK High Court.

Why is Shein suing Temu?

Shein takes photos and creates images to promote its clothes on its website and app — and these images are protected by UK copyright law.

Usually, the person who makes the image owns the copyright (if you took a photo on your phone, you’re the copyright owner).

But if you’re employed, for example if you’re hired by Shein to take the images, then Shein would own the copyright (this would be set out in your employment contract).

Shein says that Temu copied these images without permission. It claims Temu used them to advertise and sell similar products on its own site.

How has Temu responded to Shein’s lawsuit?

  • 📝 Counterclaim over copyright notices: Temu has made its own legal claim, saying Shein is using copyright law unfairly to block competition. It says Shein sent lots of copyright warnings, which made Temu remove product listings. This hurts Temu by making sellers less willing to use the platform and making it harder for customers to find its products. Temu says Shein is doing this on purpose to harm its business.

  • ⚖️ Alleged breaches of competition law: Temu also says Shein is breaking competition rules by forcing suppliers into exclusive deals. These contracts stop suppliers from working with other platforms, which can be illegal if used by a dominant company. Temu claims this limits choice for consumers and makes it harder for new competitors to grow.

  • 🛡️ Joining an anti-counterfeiting alliance: To protect its image, Temu has joined the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) — a group of major brands, online platforms, and regulators working to stop fake goods and protect intellectual property. Temu is using its membership to show it takes copyright seriously and is committed to building a trusted online marketplace.

So, what will happen next?

IP cases move slowly — Shein filed its claim in August 2023, but the trial isn’t expected until 2026.

The trial itself is set to last around a week. Shein is asking the court to issue an injunction to stop Temu copying its photographs, and to force Temu to remove any listings that use the allegedly stolen images. Temu, if successful in its counterclaim, hopes to be awarded around £4.2 million in damages for harm caused to its business.

Which law firms are involved in this?

Shein is being advised by Freshfields, and Temu is represented by A&O Shearman.

How can you use this in your applications?

This isn’t a hugely high-value IP case. Shein is mainly asking for an injunction and for Temu to take down certain listings.

So why could this potentially be worth *a lot* to a firm like Freshfields? 

Because there’s a bigger picture. Shein is thinking about a £50 billion listing on the London Stock Exchange. By working on this matter now, Freshfields can build trust with Shein’s legal team and put themselves in a strong position to act on the IPO later.

You can use this point in your applications to show commercial awareness.

Law firms don’t just look at the value of a single case — they also think about what it could lead to. Smaller matters can be a way to win future, higher-value work with the same client.

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IN OTHER NEWS 🗞

  • 🗽 Freshfields is the only top 20 global law firm to publicly back law firms fighting Trump. It signed a legal brief supporting the view that the executive orders are unconstitutional. This move signals that Freshfields, now more invested in the US market, is taking a stand on American political issues. It also shows confidence — especially to its Big Tech clients — that it’s not afraid to challenge the government.

  • 🇸🇦 Bird & Bird has opened a new office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The aim is to focus on tech, IP, and corporate work, tapping into Saudi Arabia’s big push to become a global centre for tech and AI. This marks its third office in the Middle East, adding to its bases in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

  • 🧑‍💼 David Cameron is in talks to join DLA Piper as a consultant, advising on geopolitical risk. Since he’s a former Prime Minister, the job move needs sign-off from the UK's ethics watchdog, which checks if ex-officials might use insider knowledge for personal gain. The committee can’t block the job, but it can say if it disagrees with it.

AROUND THE WEB 🌐

STUFF THAT MIGHT HELP YOU 👌

  • 📹️ Free application help: If you're applying to commercial law firms, check out my YouTube channel for actionable tips and an insight into the lifestyle of a commercial lawyer in London.

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