Golf equipment manufacturer TaylorMade has initiated legal proceedings, filing a patent infringement lawsuit against retail giant Costco. The lawsuit alleges that the Kirkland Signature Players Irons bear striking similarities to TaylorMade's P790 irons.
Rumors abound that TaylorMade is gearing up to unveil a new sub-brand in collaboration with golf icon Tiger Woods. The legal action claims that the Kirkland irons not only replicate numerous features and technologies from TaylorMade's P790 irons but also suggests the involvement of a former TaylorMade engineer in the development of Costco's irons.
Observers first noted the resemblance between the Kirkland Signature Irons, released on Costco's website in December, and TaylorMade's P790s. The competitively priced Kirkland irons, retailing at $500 USD, swiftly sold out within hours of their release.
TaylorMade, headquartered in Carlsbad, contends that the Kirkland irons have been falsely advertised, leading golf journalists and customers to believe that they are comparable or equivalent to the TaylorMade P790 irons. The lawsuit asserts that the Kirkland irons, despite claims, lack the advertised urethane inserts.
Adding complexity to the case, Southern California Design Company is named as a co-defendant alongside Costco. The legal proceedings are scheduled to take place in the Southern District of California. As this story unfolds, we will closely monitor developments in the case.