In a surprising twist in the world of sneaker culture and brand partnerships, convenience store giant 7-Eleven has filed a lawsuit against Nike, accusing the sportswear titan of trademark infringement with an upcoming Air Max 95 release.
According to court documents filed on July 1, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, 7-Eleven claims that Nike’s new Air Max 95 Big Bubble QS colorway, featuring prominent orange, green, and red stripes on a white and brown base, too closely mimics the company’s iconic “Tri-Color Mark.” These are the signature colors long associated with 7-Eleven’s branding, logos, and store aesthetics.
The sneakers are scheduled to drop on July 11, fittingly “7-Eleven Day”, when the chain traditionally offers free Slurpees and other promotions. 7-Eleven argues that the timing, combined with the color scheme, is no coincidence and creates consumer confusion, suggesting an unauthorized association or collaboration. The suit alleges Nike is deliberately trading on 7-Eleven’s goodwill.
While not an official collaboration, the design pays homage to everyday retail culture. However, 7-Eleven says it became aware of the shoes in mid-June and attempted to resolve the issue privately before filing suit. Nike has reportedly indicated it will proceed with marketing and the July 11 release via the SNKRS app for around $190.
Legal Claims
The complaint includes claims of:
- Federal and state trademark infringement
- Unfair competition
- Trademark dilution
- Texas common law trademark infringement
7-Eleven is seeking an injunction to block the release or sales of the shoes, recall and destruction of infringing products, treble damages, profits from the sales, and attorney fees. The company owns multiple federal trademarks for its tri-color combinations.
This legal battle highlights the complexities of “inspired by” designs in streetwear. Trademark protection for color schemes (trade dress) can be strong when tied to brand identity, as 7-Eleven argues here. The outcome could impact how brands draw from cultural icons in future releases.
