FORT LAUDERDALE — Several golf companies are suing individuals and businesses that are selling counterfeit goods.
Taylor Made Golf Company, Acushnet Company, Karsten Manufacturing Corporation and Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp filed the lawsuit against several individuals, business entities of unknown makeup or unincorporated associates alleging they are promoting, selling and distributing goods through internet-based e-commerce stores using counterfeits and confusingly similar imitations of the plaintiffs' trademarks, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida at Fort Lauderdale.
The plaintiffs claim the counterfeits are of a substantially different quality than genuine products and the defendants allegedly employ unauthorized trademarks to enhance the visibility and attractiveness of their e-commerce stores, contributing to an unlawful marketplace parallel to the legitimate one.
The plaintiffs claim this harms their brand reputation, increases marketing costs and gives them a diminished ability to compete online.
Some of the defendants are registering e-commerce store names with marks nearly identical to the plaintiffs' trademarks, intending to profit from the confusion.
The plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief, asserting irreparable harm. They are represented by Stephen M. Gaffigan, Virgilio Gigante, T. Raquel Wiborg-Rodriguez and Christine Ann Daley in Ft. Lauderdale.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida at Fort Lauderdale case number: 0:23-cv-62059