TaylorMade Golf Is Suing Costco Over Its Kirkland Signature Irons
Citing patent infringement of the TaylorMade P790 irons.
Golf equipment manufacturer TaylorMade has filed a lawsuit for patent infringement against big box retailer Costco, citing similarities between the Kirkland Signature Players Irons and TaylorMade’s own P790 irons.
TaylorMade, who is rumored to be starting a new sub-brand with Tiger Woods in the coming weeks, argues that the Kirkland irons “copy many features and technologies from TaylorMade’s P790 irons and the asserted patents,” while also saying that a former TaylorMade engineer who oversaw the development of the P790s worked with Costco on its own set. Indeed, when the Kirkland Signature Irons first dropped on Costco’s website in December, many noted the similar appearance to the P790s, and the competitively priced $500 USD irons sold out within hours.
The Carlsbad-based brand goes on to contest that “false advertising has misled golf journalists and customers to believe the accused products are similar to or equivalent to the TaylorMade P790 irons,” claiming that the Kirkland irons don’t actually include urethane inserts as advertised. Also of note, Southern California Design Company is listed alongside Costco as co-defendants in the case, which will be heard in the Southern District of California. We will keep an eye on this story as it develops.
