Selena's Sister Sues Shein Over Unauthorized Merchandise

Suzette Quintanilla alleges Chinese retailer ignored cease and desist over use of late singer's likeness.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:04pm

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Suzette Quintanilla, the sister of the late Latin singer Selena, is suing Chinese fast fashion retailer Shein for trademark infringement. Suzette and her family's company, Q Productions, sent Shein a cease and desist letter in August 2025 over the manufacturing and selling of unauthorized merchandise featuring Selena's likeness, but the company allegedly ignored the demand. Suzette is now suing Shein for trademark infringement, unfair competition, and publicity rights violations, seeking damages and a court order to stop the sale of the products.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges around the use of celebrity likenesses and intellectual property, especially as fast fashion companies continue to rapidly produce merchandise. The Quintanilla family has carefully managed Selena's legacy and brand since her tragic murder in 1995, and this case underscores their efforts to protect her image and ensure any commercial use is properly licensed and compensated.

The details

According to the court documents, Suzette Quintanilla and Q Productions, which has owned and used Selena's trademarks since 1989, sent Shein a cease and desist letter in August 2025 demanding the company stop manufacturing and selling unauthorized merchandise featuring the late singer's likeness. However, Shein allegedly continued to sell the products, leading Suzette to file the lawsuit for trademark infringement, unfair competition, and publicity rights violations. Suzette is seeking damages and a court order to compel Shein to stop producing and selling the unauthorized products.

  • Around August 1, 2025, Suzette Quintanilla and Q Productions sent Shein a cease and desist letter.
  • On March 11, 2026, Suzette Quintanilla filed a lawsuit against Shein in the California Central District Court.

The players

Suzette Quintanilla

The sister of the late Latin singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez and the owner of the trademarks to Selena's image and likeness through her family's company, Q Productions.

Shein Distribution Corporation

A Chinese e-commerce company that was allegedly manufacturing and selling unauthorized merchandise featuring the likeness of the late singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.

Q Productions

The company run by the Quintanilla family that owns and has used the trademarks to Selena Quintanilla-Pérez's image and likeness since at least 1989.

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez

The late Latin singer who was murdered in 1995 at the age of 23, and whose likeness is at the center of the lawsuit against Shein.

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What’s next

The lawsuit is ongoing, and the court will need to determine whether Shein's actions constituted trademark infringement, unfair competition, and publicity rights violations as alleged by Suzette Quintanilla and Q Productions.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing challenges around the use of celebrity likenesses and intellectual property, especially as fast fashion companies continue to rapidly produce merchandise. The Quintanilla family's efforts to protect Selena's legacy and brand highlight the importance of carefully managing a celebrity's image and ensuring any commercial use is properly licensed and compensated.