Tiger Woods’ new logo for his Sun Day Red golf apparel line is currently embroiled in a serious trademark dispute. Tigeraire, a company specializing in cooling products for athletes, has filed an opposition notice with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, alleging that Sun Day Red and Tiger Woods have “unlawfully hijacked” their design for commercial purposes. In their court filing, Tigeraire stated, “The actions of SDR, TaylorMade, and Tiger Woods blatantly disregard Tigeraire’s long-standing protected mark, brand, and identity, violate federal and state intellectual property laws, and create consumer confusion. SDR’s trademark application should be denied.”
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TaylorMade Golf, the company backing Sun Day Red, responded confidently, saying, “We have full confidence in the securitization of our trademarks.” Sun Day Red was launched in May, following the end of Woods’ 27-year partnership with Nike. Woods has previously explained that the brand pays homage to his tradition of wearing red on Sundays and the logo represents the 15 major championships he has won.
While TaylorMade remains optimistic about their brand, the legal battle looms large. Tigeraire’s goal is to block Woods’ trademark registration, potentially slowing down the growth of his new brand. A spokesman for Woods declined to comment, but the Sun Day Red team will have 40 days to respond to the opposition notice.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben explained that the opposition proceeding would halt Woods’ trademark application, although it is unlikely to affect the current production of Sun Day Red products. Gerben expects both parties to negotiate before the case reaches trial. “By filing this opposition, Tigeraire essentially gets a seat at the negotiating table with Tiger and TaylorMade,” Gerben said. “For Tiger and TaylorMade to secure the trademark, they’ll have to win this case.”
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This is not just an ordinary trademark dispute but a confrontation between a legendary sports figure and a smaller brand defending its rights. The battle has captured attention not only from legal experts but also from fans, as Woods’ brands and symbols have become an integral part of golf history. Whether Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red can weather this storm and continue shining on the fairways, or face major legal hurdles, remains to be seen. This case will surely provide valuable lessons about trademark protection in the fiercely competitive business world.
