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2001 and 2003 – Spalding is issued the four patents covering multi-
layer golf ball manufacturing.
2003 – Spalding Golf bought in bankruptcy by Callaway.
January 2006 – Seven examiners for the U.S. Patent Office all concur
the Spalding patents are invalid prior to Callaway first suing Acushnet.
November 2008 – U.S. District Court grants Callaway an injunction and
judgment which causes Acushnet to stop manufacturing the then
current version of the Pro V1 and rush to market with a version that
does not violate the patents. During the trial Acushnet was not allowed
to mention the four patents are invalid.
August 2009 – U. S. Court of Appeals panel of three judges rules for a
new trial as requested by Acushnet and overturns the 2008 judgement
and injunction prohibiting manufacture and sales of the Pro V1 ball
awarded to Callaway. Specifically the ruling says Acushnet could use
as part of its patent infringement defense the 2006 Patent Office ruling
the patents were invalid.
March 2010 – U.S. District Court jury decides Callway has no case
against Acushnet for patent infingement.
We’ll have to wait to see if Callaway appeals but this raises the
question haven’t they got better things to do with their stockholders
money than try to beat a competitor in the courts rather than on the
course?
layer golf ball manufacturing.
2003 – Spalding Golf bought in bankruptcy by Callaway.
January 2006 – Seven examiners for the U.S. Patent Office all concur
the Spalding patents are invalid prior to Callaway first suing Acushnet.
November 2008 – U.S. District Court grants Callaway an injunction and
judgment which causes Acushnet to stop manufacturing the then
current version of the Pro V1 and rush to market with a version that
does not violate the patents. During the trial Acushnet was not allowed
to mention the four patents are invalid.
August 2009 – U. S. Court of Appeals panel of three judges rules for a
new trial as requested by Acushnet and overturns the 2008 judgement
and injunction prohibiting manufacture and sales of the Pro V1 ball
awarded to Callaway. Specifically the ruling says Acushnet could use
as part of its patent infringement defense the 2006 Patent Office ruling
the patents were invalid.
March 2010 – U.S. District Court jury decides Callway has no case
against Acushnet for patent infingement.
We’ll have to wait to see if Callaway appeals but this raises the
question haven’t they got better things to do with their stockholders
money than try to beat a competitor in the courts rather than on the
course?
The announcement yesterday that latest chapter in the long
running feud between Acushnet Company and Callaway Golf
over the latter’s claim Acushnet’s Titleist Pro V1 violates
Callaway patents appears to be a win for Acushnet.
A U.S. District Court in a jury trial said early versions of the best
selling Pro V1 ball did not infringe on Spalding Golf patents
which be came property of Callaway when they purchased the
former number two ball manufacturer. The four patents in
question were invalid according to the decision, which had been
Acushnet’s position since this fight started.
The timeline is interesting and perhaps instructive in Callaway’s
efforts to gain a larger share of the ball market, 60% of which is
held by Acushnet with its Titleist and Pinnacle brands.
2000 – Titleist revolutionizes the ball business with the multi-
layer urethane cover Pro V1 that quickly becomes the most
played ball on the PGA Tour and number selling ball.
running feud between Acushnet Company and Callaway Golf
over the latter’s claim Acushnet’s Titleist Pro V1 violates
Callaway patents appears to be a win for Acushnet.
A U.S. District Court in a jury trial said early versions of the best
selling Pro V1 ball did not infringe on Spalding Golf patents
which be came property of Callaway when they purchased the
former number two ball manufacturer. The four patents in
question were invalid according to the decision, which had been
Acushnet’s position since this fight started.
The timeline is interesting and perhaps instructive in Callaway’s
efforts to gain a larger share of the ball market, 60% of which is
held by Acushnet with its Titleist and Pinnacle brands.
2000 – Titleist revolutionizes the ball business with the multi-
layer urethane cover Pro V1 that quickly becomes the most
played ball on the PGA Tour and number selling ball.
Titleist Aces Callaway
By ED TRAVIS, Editor FrontPageGolf
By ED TRAVIS, Editor FrontPageGolf
