Insight / Consumer Markets

7-Eleven vs Nike – What can New Zealand learn from this overseas lawsuit?

The recent dispute between 7-Eleven and Nike in the United States highlights the increasing importance of protecting a brand's overall identity, beyond traditional trade marks such as word marks and logos. The case is significant because it does not centre on Nike using the "7-Eleven" name or logo. Instead, 7-Eleven argues that the combination of the shoe's colour scheme, its launch date and the surrounding marketing, was sufficient to create the impression that the shoe was connected with or endorsed by 7-Eleven.

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