LONDON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Online fast-fashion platforms

Shein and Temu are gearing up for a 2026 trial at London's High

Court, with the rivals trading allegations of copyright

infringement and anti-competitive behaviour in competing

lawsuits.

Shein sued Temu in Britain last year, accusing Whaleco UK

Limited - whose ultimate parent is Temu's owner PDD Holdings ( PDD )

- of breach of copyright in relation to photos of some

products available on the Temu platform.

Temu hit back with a counterclaim in February, accusing

Shein of breaking British competition law by tying suppliers of

fast-fashion products to exclusive agreements, a claim it values

at 4.2 million pounds ($5.5 million) and which Shein denies.

Temu's lawyers said in court documents for a preliminary

hearing on Tuesday that Shein is "flooding Temu with unwarranted

notices of copyright infringement, disrupting the sale of

products".

Their cases at London's High Court are expected to come to

trial towards the end of 2026, Shein's lawyers said in court

documents.

The London lawsuit is one leg of a global legal battle

between the two rivals. Temu sued Shein in the U.S. in December,

with Shein filing its own case against Temu in August.

Both Shein and Temu have rapidly expanded in international

markets with low-cost clothing, accessories and gadgets, though

they have come under increased scrutiny.

Shein has faced questions over its treatment of workers and

environmental record, particularly ahead of a potential London

listing. It has previously said it is committed to respecting

human rights and has a zero-tolerance policy for forced labour.

Temu, meanwhile, is facing an investigation from the

European Commission over whether it may have breached rules

aimed at preventing the sale of illegal products. Temu has said

it will cooperate with regulators.