Tiger Woods speaks during the launch of Tiger Woods and TaylorMade Golf's new apparel and footwear brand, “Sun Day Red,” at Palisades Village on February 12, 2024 in Pacific Palisades, California.
Kevork Djansezian | Getty Images Sport | fake images
Tiger Woods' new logo for his Sun Day Red golf clothing line is facing a trademark dispute.
Tigeraire, a company that makes cooling products for athletes, filed a notice of opposition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, alleging that Sun Day Red and Tiger Woods have “illegally hijacked” the Tigeraire design into their own brand. .
Applicant's Trademarks and Registered Trademark.
US Patent and Trademark Office
“The actions of SDR, TaylorMade and Tiger Woods blatantly ignore Tigeraire's long-protected trademark, brand and identity, violate federal and state intellectual property laws, and ignore the consumer confusion their actions create. The request of SDR should be denied,” is presented in the court file. saying.
TaylorMade Golf, the company behind Sun Day Red, told CNBC: “We have complete confidence in the securitization of our brands.”
Sun Day Red launched in May, following Woods' 27-year partnership with Nike.
The brand pays homage to the fact that Woods always wears red on Sundays and the logo is a tribute to the 15 majors he won throughout his career, Woods previously said.
A detail of hats and a club cover during the launch of Tiger Woods and TaylorMade Golf's new clothing and footwear brand, “Sun Day Red,” at Palisades Village on February 12, 2024 in Pacific Palisades, California.
Kevork Djansezian | Getty Images Sport | fake images
“Sun Day Red continues to penetrate the North American market,” said TaylorMade CEO David Abeles. “Our products have been very well received.”
A spokesman for Woods declined to comment on the matter.
Woods and the Sun Day Red team will have 40 days to file a response to the notice.
The opposition proceedings will halt the trademark application Woods filed for his new logo, trademark attorney Josh Gerben told CNBC. However, it is unlikely to affect the line's future production, he said.
“Now they will probably take the opportunity to negotiate with Tiger and TaylorMade to see if a solution can be reached,” Gerben said.
He hopes the case is resolved before trial approaches.
“By filing this opposition, the portable fan company is basically getting them a seat at the table to negotiate,” he said. “Because in order for Tiger and TaylorMade to register this trademark there, you're going to have to win this case.”
