Titleist Seeks Preliminary Injunction Against TaylorMade-adidas
Golf
Files Suit Regarding Name and Likeness Rights of Golfer Camilo Villegas
Fairhaven, MA (August 5, 2010) - Acushnet Company, the golf business of
Fortune Brands, Inc. and manufacturer of Titleist golf balls, and FootJoy
golf shoes and gloves, filed suit today in Superior Court in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts against TaylorMade-adidas Golf and
professional golfer Camilo Villegas. Acushnet Company is seeking a
preliminary injunction against TaylorMade-adidas and Villegas regarding any
future comments pertaining to a potential future relationship between them.
Villegas, ranked No. 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking, is exclusively
under contract with Acushnet to play the company's Titleist Pro V1 golf
ball, and wear FootJoy golf shoes and gloves, and is prominently featured
in the advertising and promotion of those products. The suit claims
TaylorMade-adidas intentionally interfered with Villegas' current contract
nearly five months before the end of its term. Acushnet will seek damages
in addition to injunctive relief.
In a press release distributed on August 3rd, TaylorMade's president and
CEO announced that Villegas will join the TaylorMade-adidas tour staff
beginning in 2011, and stated that more information will be revealed on
September 9, 2010. It further noted that Villegas will join "other members
of the renowned TaylorMade Tour Staff," including Kenny Perry and Mike
Weir, both of whom are under contract with Acushnet Company to play
Titleist golf balls and wear Titleist or FootJoy golf gloves.
"It is unconscionable that this competitor would interfere with a player's
contract by publicly announcing its intentions with that player during his
contract term with another company," said Joe Nauman, Executive Vice
President, Corporate and Legal, Acushnet Company. "The timing of
TaylorMade-adidas' press release was obviously calculated to harm Acushnet
Company and diminish the value of Camilo's endorsements. The behavior of
TaylorMade-adidas and Camilo's agent is reprehensible, causing Acushnet
Company irreparable and significant damage. Camilo is under contract with
Acushnet Company through the end of the year and we expect the agreement to
be honored throughout the term. We fully expect the Court to act quickly in
granting the preliminary injunction and providing the other relief being
sought."
