Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group Awarded More Than a Quarter Million Dollars in Damages from Counterfeiters in Recent Civil Proceedings
PHILADELPHIA, PA – November 15, 2023 The U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (The Golf Group) today announced that its members obtained civil judgment awards against several notable golf counterfeiters and counterfeit sellers in China. In these civil proceedings, the courts found these counterfeiters liable for trademark infringement against a number of golf’s biggest brands and ordered the defendants to pay a total of $277,237 (RMB 1,206,934) in damages to members of The Golf Group.
Prior to the civil proceedings, the Group worked closely with local officials who prosecuted criminal actions against five defendants resulting in criminal convictions for selling counterfeit golf clubs bearing the marks of several Golf Group members, including Srixon /Cleveland Golf/XXIO, Titleist, FootJoy, TaylorMade, PXG, Callaway, and PING.
“These recent judgments are a reminder to counterfeiters that their actions have consequences and the Golf Group will work with authorities to investigate, prosecute and to recover damages from them,” said Lisa Rogan, director of Trademarks & Brand Protection at Acushnet. “We are continuing to dedicate our efforts to protecting golfers everywhere from these criminals.”
While The Golf Group will continue to work with authorities to investigate and bring legal action against counterfeiters to the fullest extent of the law, golfers should continue to be vigilant when searching for golf equipment online and remember the benefits of purchasing from authorized retailers. In fact, The Golf Group’s most recent survey found that 72% of PGA Professionals know of someone who has either knowingly or unknowingly purchased counterfeit golf equipment – making clear that consumers must do everything they can to stay informed and make the best purchase decisions.
The Golf Group has continued to fight counterfeit activity with raid actions each year since its inception in 2004. In April of 2023, law enforcement seized more than 44,000 pieces of equipment, apparel and components on a series of four raids conducted in China. This adds to the Golf Group’s total of more than two million counterfeit products seized by law enforcement over the past nearly two decades.
For information on how to avoid counterfeit golf products, how to report suspected counterfeit golf equipment sellers, and updates on the Golf Group’s efforts to protect golfers, consumers are encouraged to visit www.KeepGolfReal.com and www.facebook.com/keepgolfreal.
About the US Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group
The US Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group consists of six of the most well-known golf companies in the world—Acushnet Company, whose brands are Titleist, FootJoy and Scotty Cameron; Callaway-Odyssey; Srixon / Cleveland Golf / XXIO; PING; PXG; TaylorMade and Adams Golf. Formed in 2004, the Golf Group has supported the efforts of international law enforcement and government agencies to conduct raids and investigations of counterfeit operations, as well as raise public awareness of the issue. Since its inception, the Golf Group’s efforts led to the shutdown of more than 1,500 websites and authorities have seized more than two million counterfeit golf products.
