Nike is facing a lawsuit from 7-Eleven over a new pair of Air Max 95 sneakers that the convenience store chain says look a little too much like its famous branding.
The lawsuit claims the upcoming Nike Air Max 95 Big Bubble Sport Green and Safety Orange uses the same orange, green and red stripe pattern that has long been associated with 7-Eleven stores and merchandise. According to the filing, the similarities have already caused confusion, with some online listings even referring to the sneakers as the “7-Eleven” shoes.
7-Eleven argues that consumers could mistakenly believe the shoes are part of an official collaboration. The company pointed to past partnerships with brands like Crocs and DGK and noted that it had previously planned a collaboration with Nike on a special SB Dunk Low in 2020 before the project was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The timing of the release also raised eyebrows. The sneakers were originally expected to launch on July 11, which happens to be 7-Eleven’s annual Free Slurpee Day. According to the lawsuit, the company tried to resolve the issue privately, but Nike allegedly planned to move forward with the release anyway.
Since the lawsuit was filed, the shoes are no longer listed on Nike’s website, although pairs are still being sold through resale marketplaces.
7-Eleven is asking the court to block the release, destroy any remaining sneakers and award the company any profits Nike may have earned from the shoes, along with legal fees.
