7-Eleven Sues Nike Over Trademark Infringement: The Battle of the Tri-Color Logos
7-Eleven Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Nike Inc., claiming that Nike's upcoming Air Max 95 shoes, featuring orange, green, and red stripes, infringe on 7-Eleven's trademarked logos with the same color combination. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, alleges that Nike's release of the tri-colored shoes on July 11, coinciding with 7-Eleven's annual celebration, is causing consumer confusion and is an intentional effort to associate the footwear with the convenience store.
7-Eleven accuses Nike of disregarding its rights and attempting to deceive consumers into believing that the sneakers are affiliated with the convenience store to benefit from its reputation. The lawsuit includes claims of trademark infringement, unfair competition, trademark dilution, and trademark infringement under federal and state law. 7-Eleven holds federal trademark registrations for marks incorporating its tri-color mark and signature colors of orange, green, and red, which it alleges Nike is infringing with its new shoes.
Despite efforts to resolve the dispute before resorting to legal action, 7-Eleven claims that Nike has indicated it will continue marketing and advertising the shoes. The convenience store seeks a court order to block the sale of the allegedly infringing footwear, as well as damages, including trebled profits from the products, interest, and attorneys' fees. The lawsuit also requests that Nike recall and destroy the infringing products to protect 7-Eleven's trademark rights.
Represented by Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, 7-Eleven's case against Nike aims to protect its iconic tri-color trademarks and prevent consumer confusion caused by the release of the Air Max 95 shoes. The legal battle between the convenience store chain and the athletic apparel giant highlights the importance of trademark protection and the consequences of unauthorized use of established brand elements.