TaylorMade Files Lawsuit Against Costco Over Kirkland Signature Irons

Yesterday, TaylorMade filed a lawsuit against Costco Wholesale and Southern California Design Company over willful patent infringement in regards to Costco’s new Kirkland Signature Players Irons.

Amongst the myriad of accusations made on TaylorMade’s behalf to Costco and SCDC is the assumption that the Kirkland Signature Irons “copy many features and technologies from TaylorMade’s P790 irons and the asserted patents.”

Who is SCDC?

Southern California Design Company is believed to be the manufacture of Costco’s Kirkland golf clubs. The lawsuit states that “SCDC designed and manufactures the accused products for Costco and sells the accused products to Costco. On information and belief, the accused products are made by or at the direction of SCDC and/or Costco in the United States, or are imported into the United States by or at the direction of SCDC and/or Costco.”

Based on the conforming list, SCDC can also be tied to the brand name Indi Golf.

Other Accusations

Among other initial claims is the claim that Costco’s irons do not in fact contain injected urethan inserts. According to the lawsuit, the urethan insert is nowhere to be found.

“Costco’s website listing the accused products for sale states that “[t]he Kirkland Signature Players Distance Irons are built for distance and forgiveness with a[n] … injected urethane insert. The accused products, however, do not contain an “injected urethan insert.””

What’s Next?

TaylorMade has requested a jury trial. If Costco and SCDC were found to have willingly infringed on TaylorMade’s patents and/or participated in false advertising of the accused products, they could be on the hook for a large chunk of change.

Once we hear more, you’ll be the first to know.