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 Sports | Getty 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, has filed an objection with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, claiming that Sun Day Red and Tiger Woods have “unlawfully incorporated” Tigeraire's design into their own branding.
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Applicant's trademarks and registered trademark.
US Patent and Trademark Office
“The actions of SDR, TaylorMade and Tiger Woods blatantly disregard Tigeraire's long-protected trademark, brand and identity, violate federal and state intellectual property laws, and disregard the consumer confusion their actions create. “SDR’s request should be denied,” the court filing says.
TaylorMade Golf, the company behind Sun Day Red, told CNBC: “We have full confidence in the securitization of our brands.”
Sun Day Red was 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 pays homage to the 15 majors he won throughout his career.
A detail of hats and a club cover 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 Sports | Getty Images
“Sun Day Red continues to make inroads into the North American market,” said David Abeles, CEO of TaylorMade. “Our products are very well received.”
A spokesman for Tiger Woods declined to comment on the matter.
Woods and the Sun Day Red team have 40 days to file a response to the notice.
The opposition process will halt the trademark application Woods filed for his new logo, Josh Gerben, a trademark attorney, told CNBC. However, this is unlikely to impact future production of the line.
“They are probably now giving themselves the opportunity to negotiate between Tiger and TaylorMade to see if a solution can be found,” Gerben said.
He expects the case to be resolved before it goes to trial.
“By filing this appeal, the portable fan manufacturer is essentially giving itself a seat at the table,” he said. “Because in order for Tiger and TaylorMade to register this trademark there, you have to win this case.”
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