What was filed
Music L.A.A., Inc., d/b/a LAA Music, and Zac Hiller v. SHEIN US Services, LLC; SHEIN Distribution Corporation; and Does 1 through 10, No. 5:26-cv-13851 (E.D. Mich., Southern Division), was filed October 9, 2026 (12 pages). The complaint describes SHEIN US Services as the provider of SHEIN's U.S. website and app and SHEIN Distribution as a seller through SHEIN's U.S. marketplace. The Doe defendants include the operators of the two accounts that posted the videos. The plaintiffs demand a jury trial. (Compl. caption; paras. 6 to 8.)
The works
Hiller is the claimant of record for the sound recording Take it Off 'Lights Off' Beat, Reg. No. SR 1-075-539, effective April 14, 2026, which the complaint says he obtained from its author by written agreement. LAA and the work's author are co-claimants of the musical work Boo (original drum composition), Reg. No. PA 2-569-090, effective January 26, 2026. The complaint says that registration excludes a preexisting loop and confines LAA's claim to the drum composition and rhythmic arrangement. (Compl. paras. 13 to 17.)
The posts
The complaint alleges that on or about September 4, 2026, the plaintiffs observed a public Instagram Reel that used Take it Off and displayed Instagram's Paid Partnership label identifying SHEIN, and that on or about October 4, 2026, they observed a TikTok video that used Boo with a paid partnership disclosure, tags for SHEIN and SHEIN MEN, a SHEIN app call to action, and a discount code. It alleges, on information and belief, that one or both SHEIN defendants commissioned, funded, approved, or otherwise materially participated in the campaigns. (Compl. paras. 19 to 24.)
Claims and relief
The first claim, brought by Hiller, alleges infringement of the sound recording, and the second, brought by LAA, alleges infringement of the musical work, each under 17 U.S.C. 501 against the SHEIN defendants and the Doe defendants, with secondary liability pleaded in the alternative. The prayer seeks a declaration of infringement, preliminary and permanent injunctions under 17 U.S.C. 502, actual damages and profits or statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. 504, impoundment under 17 U.S.C. 503, costs and fees under 17 U.S.C. 505, and interest. The complaint says it seeks statutory damages and fees only to the extent 17 U.S.C. 412 allows. (Compl. paras. 18, 28 to 38; Prayer.)