7-Eleven Sues Nike Over 7-Eleven Inspired Air Max 95 Big Bubble

Categorizing Nike as a litigious company is a bit of a stretch, but we’ve seen plenty of examples of The Swoosh taking brands and counterfeiters to court. But what about someone suing Nike? It doesn’t make headlines often, but today that’s the case. 7-Eleven, which previously worked with Nike in an official capacity on an unreleased Nike SB Dunk Low, is suing Nike over the upcoming 7-Eleven-inspired Nike Air Max 95.

Nike’s 7-Eleven Air Max 95 Homage

Last year, Sole Retriever broke the news that Nike would be releasing a two-pack of Air Max 95s that were inspired by two convenience stores beloved in Japan, 7-Eleven and Lawson. Both pairs feature color palettes reminiscent of the signage and logos for each respective store, 7-Eleven having a mixture of orange, green, and red, while Lawson features blue, white, and red hues. Neither are officially licensed collabs with either store.

On the insole, both shoes feature a blurry photo of what looks to be the aisle of a convenience store, but aside from the colors and nod to the inside of these shops, there are no official logos or direct references to 7-Eleven or Lawson.

7-Eleven vs. Nike Lawsuit at a Glance

In the complaint, 7-Eleven is alleging that Nike is infringing on 7-Eleven’s trademark of its iconic Tri-Color Mark aka the orange, green, and red you often associate with the store. 7-Eleven has asserted seven causes of action against Nike, including three violations of the Lanham Act for Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Dilution, and Federal Unfair Competition, and four state law claims, including Trademark Infringement in violation of Texas common law.

Basically, 7-Eleven is saying that any member of the general public will look at the Nike Air Max 95 in 7-Eleven’s colors and assume it is a product from 7-Eleven itself. Their Tri-Color Mark is a recognizable color scheme that’s been associated with the business for decades. Not only is it recognizable, but 7-Eleven owns a federal trademark for the Tri-Color mark consisting of orange, green, and red.

The 7/11 Release Date Problem

Not only are the shoes borrowing from 7-Eleven’s recognizable color palette, but the shoes are set to release on July 11, 2026, or 7/11. July 11th is celebrated by 7-Eleven as “7-11 Day.” Planning to drop the sneakers on the same day that 7-Eleven celebrates its company is not the best look.

What 7-Eleven Wants

The complaint filed by 7-Eleven is asking for Nike to stop the promotion, marketing, and sale of the Air Max 95s, in addition to the destruction of the product. The convenience store is also asking for all profits derived from the sale of the shoe, damages in an unspecified amount, attorney fees, and exemplary damages.

7-Eleven’s History with Nike

Before this lawsuit, Nike and 7-Eleven had worked on a footwear collab project, but it was never released to the public. The two created a Nike SB Dunk Low colorway ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, but with the COVID-19 pandemic causing a delay for the games, Nike scrapped the release. The fact that 7-Eleven and Nike did work in an official capacity prior to this unofficial Air Max 95 7-Eleven only adds to the case for the convenience store.

What Happens Next?

With the lawsuit having been filed only one day ago (July 1, 2026), we’ll have to wait to see how Nike responds. As of this writing, the product page is still up on the SNKRS App, retailers across the globe have pairs available, and Nike has not publicly responded to the complaint. 7-Eleven could seek emergency relief to stop the release on July 11, though it’s more likely that Nike will pull the release before that happens.

As we learn more about 7-Eleven’s lawsuit against Nike, we’ll keep you updated here and on the Sole Retriever mobile app.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com