Golfers and Their Trademarks

Becoming a golf superstar comes with its fair share of responsibilities, including building and protecting your personal brand.

Let’s take a look at what a few of the leaders are doing.

Tiger Woods, more specifically his ETW Corp, have 19 registered trademarks and 11 applications. Perhaps the most famous of Tiger’s marks (the T over W design mark) being Registration Number 3127218.

Next, a simple search of Greg Norman’s Great White Shark Enterprises reveals 39 records. The most interesting of Greg’s applications is the Greg Norman Signature mark, ITU application Serial Number 78760387, for the following Goods & Services:

IC 029. US 046. G & S: Meats in the nature of beef, lamb, veal and pork, and products made from or predominately from the foregoing; fish, seafood, poultry and game, and products made from or predominately from the foregoing; egg and dairy products and their substitutes; potato products; fruits, vegetables and products made from or predominately from the foregoing

IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Retailing services in the field of foods, including on-line retailing, catalog orders, phone orders, and retail stores and outlets

Greg must be looking to expand his empire, perhaps so that he can purchase a larger yacht.

Tiger and Greg fall far short of the trademark portfolios of Golden Bear International (Jack’s company) and Arnold Palmer Enterprises (Arnie’s Company). A quick search of USPTO records revealed 114 records in Gold Bear’s portfolio and 110 records in Arnie’s portfolio. Interestingly, three of Jack’s abandoned applications, namely Eagle Pass 75410071, Birdie Pass 75410073, and Par Pass 75410074, indicate that in 1997 Jack was considering getting into the prepaid debit card business!

These are just three examples of very public figures recognizing the value of their brand(s).