Are BAPE and adidas Blowing Smoke at Nike?

While BAPE are still in a pickle with Nike over trademark infringements, they’ve partnered up with their good buds adidas for another collaboration. The duo are releasing a pack in signature BAPE colourways, using an adi skate model called the Lawsuit for the latest endeavour. This very well could be an innocent addition to their catalogue, but nonetheless, our spidey senses are tingling…

The Lawsuit was originally the Norton, which was released in the mid-90s, and it only had a name change after adidas were sued. The details surrounding this legal action are light, but after the model saw success in Japan, there was no wonder things were shut down pretty quick. This lineage could explain why the Lawsuit has been adopted as the model of choice for recent collaborations with Japanese designers like mita sneakers, TAKAHIROMIYASHITATheSoloist, and now BAPE. So while BAPE makes sense on this front for being the next collaborator, the Lawsuit's inexplicable ties to trademark troubles is well and truly on the nose. And considering BAPE’s attempt to dismiss Nike’s lawsuit against them was denied just last month, the timing seems mighty convenient, especially when any Google search of ‘BAPE x adidas Lawsuit’ is flooded with news of the legal battle.

But wait, there’s more – the shoe is reported to release on April 20, which just so happens to be Adolf Hitler’s birthday, but more importantly 4/20, the ultimate day to take it easy and just chill, bro. We’re not making any assumptions here, but take what you will. Whatever the motive is behind this compelling conspiracy, it’s providing quite the laugh.