"This issue will continue to go through the legal and legislative processes in California, but consumers should not be intimidated by the scare tactics of those extremists who have a long term agenda of banning the use of all non-endangered animal products," Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss said in a statement after the court issued its ruling.

Adidas — the biggest industrial customer of kangaroo leather — uses the hides to make the popular Predator cleats. Soccer players say the shoes are lighter and more airy than competing brands.

Beckham, who appeared in his first game for the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, has worn Predator cleats for several years as part of his multimillion dollar endorsement deal with the company.

Last year, Beckham announced his Predator cleats would be made of synthetic leather instead of kangaroo hide.

"David wears synthetic Predator boots so this ruling has no relevance to us," Beckham's spokesman Simon Oliveira wrote in a terse e-mail. Oliveira declined further comment.

Adidas spent $435,000 in lobbying efforts since 2003, the first year legislation was introduced to repeal the kangaroo ban.

The legislation cleared a key Assembly committee last week after passing the full Senate in May.

"The change in state law is long overdue," said Rocky Rushing, a top aide to the chief sponsor of the bill, state Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello. "It will promote commerce."

Calderon said he doesn't expect the state Supreme Court ruling to slow the bill's passage, which he expected to reach the governor's desk by September.