Tiger Woods’ New Golf Apparel Logo Faces Trademark Dispute #

A company that produces cooling products for athletes has filed a notice of opposition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office regarding the new logo for Tiger Woods’ Sunday Red golf apparel line. The company claims that the logo design has been “unlawfully hijacked” into the branding of Sunday Red and Tiger Woods.

The opposition filing argues that the actions of Sunday Red and its partners ignore the company’s long-standing protected mark, brand, and identity, violate intellectual property law, and create consumer confusion. The filing requests that Sunday Red’s application be denied.

The company behind Sunday Red has expressed confidence in the securitization of their trademarks.

Sunday Red was launched in May, following Woods’ long-term partnership with another major sportswear brand. The brand’s name and logo pay tribute to Woods’ tradition of wearing red on Sundays and his 15 major championship victories.

The CEO of the company behind Sunday Red has stated that their products have been well-received in the North American marketplace.

The trademark dispute will temporarily halt Woods’ trademark application for the new logo. A trademark attorney suggests that this opposition gives the cooling products company an opportunity to negotiate with Woods and his partners for a potential resolution.

The attorney expects the case to settle before reaching trial, viewing the opposition as a way for the cooling products company to secure a seat at the negotiation table. For Woods and his partners to successfully register the trademark, they would need to win this case.

Woods and the Sunday Red team have 40 days to file an answer to the notice of opposition.