Controversies

Nike CEO reportedly admits company went 'too woke' as stock hits 12-year low

Company response

Fox News reported that Nike's CEO may have acknowledged that the company went 'too woke'. According to the report, the remarks came as Nike's stock hit a 12-year low. The report did not specify the exact wording of the CEO's statement or provide further details about the context in which it was made. Nike has not publicly confirmed or denied the report. The event was covered by Fox News and circulated via Google News.

Business owner pays fine over suspected counterfeit branded goods

Fine or penalty

Sneaker Freakz owner Nathaniel Petersen paid a R100,000 admission-of-guilt fine following a Hawks investigation into the alleged sale of counterfeit Adidas and Nike sneakers and Lacoste T-shirts. The merchandise was suspected of being counterfeit; the article does not report a determination that the brands themselves committed wrongdoing.

Nike sues StockX over sneaker NFTs

Lawsuit filed

Nike filed a lawsuit against StockX in a New York federal court, alleging that StockX's NFTs depicting Nike shoes infringed its trademarks and were likely to confuse consumers. The dispute concerns the use of Nike-branded imagery in non-fungible tokens offered by StockX. Nike's claims center on trademark infringement and the likelihood of consumer confusion arising from the NFTs. The case was brought in February 2022.

Nike sued StockX in New York federal court, alleging that StockX's NFTs depicting Nike shoes infringed its trademarks and were likely to confuse consumers.

Nike sues Lululemon over Mirror device and apps

Lawsuit filed

Nike filed a lawsuit accusing Lululemon of patent infringement involving its at-home Mirror fitness device and related mobile applications. The report describes this as Nike's accusation, not a court determination.

Nike sues websites over alleged counterfeit sales

Lawsuit filed

In January 2021, Nike filed a lawsuit against 589 websites that it alleged were selling counterfeit Nike and Converse shoes online. The complaint also named the owners of 676 social media accounts and more than 100 unidentified companies and individuals, all accused of alleged counterfeit activity. The filing set out Nike's allegations regarding the sale of counterfeit goods through these websites and accounts; no further details on the defendants, the amounts involved, or the outcome of the case were provided in the source.

Nike filed a lawsuit against 589 websites it alleged were selling counterfeit Nike and Converse shoes online; the complaint also named owners of 676 social media accounts and more than 100 unidentified companies and individuals for alleged counterfeit activity.

La La Land files amended counterclaim against Nike

Lawsuit filed

La La Land Production & Design Inc. filed an amended counterclaim against Nike. In the filing, La La Land accused Nike of using aggressive litigation strategies to enforce what La La Land described as questionable trade dress rights. The counterclaim characterizes Nike's enforcement efforts as aggressive and questions the validity of the trade dress rights asserted. No further details on the specific claims, parties, or outcomes are provided in the source material.

Nike postpones Air Max 1 x Cactus Jack release after Astroworld tragedy

Company response

Nike announced that it was postponing the release of the Air Max 1 x Cactus Jack sneakers out of respect for those affected by the Astroworld Festival tragedy. The shoes had been planned for release in December. Nike announced an indefinite delay on its SNKRS app.

Nike announced that it was postponing the Air Max 1 x Cactus Jack release out of respect for those affected by the Astroworld Festival tragedy. The sneakers had been planned for release in December, and Nike announced an indefinite delay on its SNKRS app.

Nike sues adidas over Primeknit technology

Lawsuit filed

Nike's lawsuit alleges that adidas's Primeknit technology infringes six Nike patents and identifies 49 adidas shoe models using the technology.

Mary Cain files abuse lawsuit against Nike and Alberto Salazar

Lawsuit filed

Mary Cain filed a $20 million lawsuit against Nike and Alberto Salazar alleging physical and mental abuse during her time with the Nike Oregon Project. The article reports allegations, not a court finding.

Nike settles lawsuit over Satan Shoes

Settlement

Nike settled its lawsuit with MSCHF over the Satan Shoes. The agreement states that MSCHF will recall all the shoes and remove them from circulation.

MSCHF agrees to recall Satan Shoes and Jesus Shoes

Recall announced

As part of its settlement with Nike, MSCHF agreed to a voluntary recall of the Satan Shoes and also said it would recall the earlier Jesus Shoes. Customers who return the recalled shoes can receive refunds.

Stated objective. to remove them from circulation

H&M pledges to regain trust in China amid boycott

Company response

H&M said it would work to regain the trust and confidence of its customers and business partners in China amid a boycott targeting the retailer and other Western companies. The company also said it was developing forward-looking strategies concerning material sourcing.

Nike sues MSCHF over Satan Shoes

Lawsuit filed

Nike sued MSCHF over the Satan Shoes. Nike claims MSCHF tricked consumers into thinking Nike approved the shoes and alleges trademark infringement because the Nike Swoosh remains prominently featured. These are claims reported by the source, not a court determination.

Calls in China to end Nike sponsorships

Public backlash

The article reported calls in China to end sponsorship agreements with Nike over its cotton-sourcing position. It also said a Soccer News post reported that the Chinese Football Association and a professional league preparatory group had condemned Nike and reserved the right to take further action under their contract; the post was deleted shortly after publication.

Consumer boycott of Western brands in China

Public backlash

Consumers in mainland China boycotted H&M, Nike, Burberry and other Western brands amid a social-media campaign targeting companies that had refused to use cotton from Xinjiang over alleged forced labor.

H&M and Nike face criticism in China over Xinjiang statements

Public backlash

H&M faced a potential boycott in China after a social media storm over its earlier statement expressing concern about reports of forced labor in Xinjiang. The article also reported that a similar statement from Nike was attracting criticism.

French Uyghur group sues Nike over alleged forced labour complicity

Lawsuit filed

The Association of Uighurs in France filed a lawsuit against Nike, accusing it of deceptive business practices and complicity in concealing forced labour. Nike denied the allegations.

Vaporfly competition-fairness controversy

Nike's Vaporfly racing shoes were criticized for potentially providing a substantial mechanical advantage through their foam, plate and sole design. The debate contributed to World Athletics rules addressing commercially available racing shoes, sole thickness and construction.

Game Plan sues over slogan

Lawsuit filed

Game Plan Inc filed a lawsuit against Uninterrupted, Nike, Disney, and Two-Take Interactive Software Inc., claiming that LeBron James and Uninterrupted took its "I am more than an athlete" slogan. Uninterrupted called the lawsuit "meritless."

Judge rules Nike owns the Klaw logo

Ruling

In the dispute over the Klaw logo, U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman ruled in favor of Nike. The court found that the logo, which Nike created with assistance from Kawhi Leonard, constituted an independent piece of intellectual property and that Leonard did not own it. The ruling addressed ownership of the logo itself rather than any broader claims between the parties.

U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman ruled in Nike's favor in the dispute over the Klaw logo, finding that the logo Nike created with Kawhi Leonard's help was an independent piece of intellectual property and that Leonard did not own it.