7-Eleven takes Nike to federal court over Air Max 95 sneaker colors tied to “7-Eleven Day”

7-Eleven has filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against Nike, accusing the athletic apparel company of using a “confusingly similar imitation” of the convenience retailer’s distinctive orange, green and red striped look on an upcoming Air Max 95 sneaker. The lawsuit seeks a court order to block the shoes’ release, according to reporting and descriptions tied to the filing.

Several outlets, citing the dispute, say the Air Max 95 product at the center of the case is slated to be released on July 11. That date is promoted by 7-Eleven in stores as “7-Eleven Day,” and the complaint ties the timing to what the chain characterizes as a calculated effort to benefit from its brand goodwill.

According to descriptions of the allegations, 7-Eleven claims it has used the tri-color scheme in signage and branding for years and has registered trademarks around the design. The company argues Nike’s sneaker would mislead shoppers into believing there is an affiliation or connection between Nike’s product and 7-Eleven, and the filing characterizes Nike’s intent as “deliberate” and aimed at consumer deception.

The case also centers on 7-Eleven’s “Tri-Color Mark,” a term used in reporting to describe the protected branding elements the chain says Nike is copying. 7-Eleven’s complaint, as described, says Nike’s use of a similar color pattern is intended to trade on the retailer’s goodwill and produce confusion among customers.

Before turning to court, 7-Eleven says it attempted to resolve the issue directly. FOX 9 reported that the convenience-store chain reached out to Nike, but Nike allegedly responded that it planned to continue advertising the shoes and proceed with the scheduled launch.

For Nike, the suit lands in a period when colorways, limited drops, and high-visibility sneaker releases are core parts of brand marketing and licensing strategy. The Air Max 95 is a marquee model within Nike’s Air Max lineup, and disputes over branding and trade dress often hinge on how closely a product’s appearance is perceived to track protected marks, not just on brand names.

Still, the public record described in the coverage does not indicate that Nike has admitted wrongdoing. It also does not show what specific legal grounds the court filings emphasize beyond trademark infringement and related claims, nor does it confirm whether a full hearing date or expedited ruling has been scheduled.

What to watch next is whether the case moves quickly toward a preliminary injunction, which is the type of order 7-Eleven is effectively asking for to prevent sales ahead of or shortly after the July 11 launch date. A court decision could also shape how other retailers and sneaker brands handle color and design similarities tied to consumer-recognized retail identities.