In Another Win for Golfers, Golf Anti-Counterfeiting Group Announces Sentencing of 4 Golf Equipment Counterfeiters in China
PHILADELPHIA, PA – February 7, 2022 – In yet another sign that the selling of counterfeit golf products will not be tolerated, the Shanghai Pudong Court convicted four separate defendants for their roles in counterfeiting registered golf trademarks and selling counterfeit golf products. This decision stems from several successful raids executed by Shanghai Pudong PSP in 2021 with the cooperation of the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (the Golf Group) and adds to the more than two million counterfeit products seized by law enforcement since The Golf Group’s inception in 2004.
The verdict showed three of the defendants were convicted for the crime of selling counterfeit products and one defendant was convicted of selling other trademarked equipment. All defendants were sentenced to imprisonment for a combined total of 11 years and will be forced to pay criminal fines totaling RMB 1,075,000 ($169,000 USD).
The four defendants were arrested for their role in counterfeiting and selling more than 20,000 pieces of counterfeit golf products bearing the brand names of several Golf Group members, including XXIO, Titleist, TaylorMade, PXG, Callaway, and PING.
“2021 was a strong year for The Golf Group, with several raids successfully executed by law enforcement to eradicate counterfeit activities,” said Jud Hawken, Associate General Counsel for PING. “As we continue to actively work with law enforcement on these types of cases, we hope that the results send a strong message that our efforts against counterfeits will never stop.”
Counterfeit products confiscated in the raids included golf clubs, club heads, shafts, grips, bags, labels, and tools used to facilitate creation of products. Photos of the raids can be found on the Golf Group website www.keepgolfreal.com and on Facebook.
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.
“These judgments are only the beginning of our efforts this year,” said Frankie Ho Director, IP for PXG. “We continue to adapt to the evolving counterfeit landscape, and, along with our partners here in the U.S. and in China, are prepared to protect consumers from these illegal practices and get counterfeits out of golf.”
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.