Dick’s and Golf Galaxy Sued for Alleged Golf Towel Patent Infringement
Golfers need an exciting new patent infringement case to fill the void left by the settlement of the Pro V1 golf ball patent dispute. Unfortunately golf towel patent litigation isn’t quite as sexy as golf ball litigation with at least 9 figures at risk.
The patent at the center of this litigation is USPN 5813080 titled “Towel Structure,” which describes the invention as:
The product at the center of the dispute is the Maxfli Dry Tech Towel. Click HERE to read the entire complaint.
Is there a lesson to take away from this post? Of course! Aside from the obvious, that golf towel patent litigation is not very interesting, the lesson to learn is that if you are going to launch ANY type of product in the golf industry you MUST start with the assumption the product probably infringes at least one patent, then work to identify the sources of risk and investigate potential "design-around" alternatives.
Dave Dawsey - The Golf Litigation Attorney
PS – If you just can’t read enough about golf industry patent litigation, here is a list of past posts directed to ancillary golf products (not traditional golf club or ball litigation). Enjoy.
The patent at the center of this litigation is USPN 5813080 titled “Towel Structure,” which describes the invention as:
An improved hand-held towel structure suitable for cleaning and drying athletic apparatus and other implements in wet weather is described. The towel structure includes an outer layer of towel material having a first predetermined absorbency which is separated from an inner layer of wiping material having a second predetermined absorbency by a film layer that substantially inhibits transfer of water from the towel material to the wiping material. The improved towel structure is arranged such that the outer layer of towel material may be utilized for wiping and cleaning the athletic equipment or other implements, while the film layer inhibits transfer of any soil or water to the inner wiping layer. The structure substantially defines an inner pocket open at the bottom in which the athletic equipment or other implements can be inserted for further wiping and drying. Various structures for retaining the elements of the towel structure in position relative to each other are described.
The product at the center of the dispute is the Maxfli Dry Tech Towel. Click HERE to read the entire complaint.
Is there a lesson to take away from this post? Of course! Aside from the obvious, that golf towel patent litigation is not very interesting, the lesson to learn is that if you are going to launch ANY type of product in the golf industry you MUST start with the assumption the product probably infringes at least one patent, then work to identify the sources of risk and investigate potential "design-around" alternatives.
Dave Dawsey - The Golf Litigation Attorney
PS – If you just can’t read enough about golf industry patent litigation, here is a list of past posts directed to ancillary golf products (not traditional golf club or ball litigation). Enjoy.
a) Golf Sandal Patent Litigation
b) Divot Tool Patent Litigation
c) Shuttlecock Golf Ball Patent Litigation
d) Lighted Golf Ball Patent Litigation
e) Golf Shoe Cleat Patent Infringement Litigation
f) Golf Cart Patent Litigation
g) Golf Hat Patent Litigation (involving Greg Norman Interactive)
h) Golf Simulator Patent Litigation
i) Golf Bag Patent Litigation
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