Professional Documents
Culture Documents
001 - Complaint
001 - Complaint
001 - Complaint
Plaintiffs,
vs.
Defendants.
/
Company, Inc., SRI Sports Limited, Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, and Taylor Made Golf
Company, Inc. (collectively "Plaintiffs")1 hereby sue Defendants Tang Hainan (“Hainan”), Xud
Zhang (“Zhang”), and Does 1-10 (collectively “Defendants”), doing business and conspiring to
do business as the domain names identified on Schedules “A” and “B” hereto (the “Subject
1
Each Plaintiff is a member of the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group
which was founded to combat common sources of counterfeit goods which cause harm to
Plaintiff’s respective brands individually and to the sport of golf in its entirety, which results in
further harm to each Plaintiff’s brand. Since 2004, the U.S. Golf Manufacturers Anti-
Counterfeiting Working Group has worked with international law enforcement and government
agencies to conduct raids and investigations of counterfeit operations, as well as raise public
awareness of the issue.
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 2 of 31
1. This is an action pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114, 1116, 1121, and 1125(a) and (d).
Accordingly, this Court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338.
Venue is proper in this Court pursuant 28 U.S.C. § 1391 since Defendants are, upon information
and belief, aliens who engage in infringing activities which are directed at and cause harm within
this District. Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction in this District because they direct
business activities toward and conduct business with consumers within this District through at
least the fully interactive Internet websites operating under the Subject Domain Names.
THE PLAINTIFFS
laws of Delaware, having its office and principal place of business at 333 Bridge Street,
Fairhaven, Massachusetts 02719. Acushnet is, in part, engaged in the business of manufacturing
and distributing throughout the world, including within this Judicial District, golf balls, golf
clubs, golf shoes, golf gloves and accessories under multiple world famous common law and
under the laws of Delaware, having its office and principal place of business at 2180 Rutherford
Road, Carlsbad, California 92008. Callaway Golf is, in part, engaged in the business of
manufacturing and distributing throughout the world, including within this Judicial District,
high-quality golf clubs, golf balls, and other golf equipment under multiple world famous
common law and federally registered trademarks including those identified in paragraph 24
below.
2
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 3 of 31
4. Plaintiff Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc. is a corporation organized under the
laws of California, having its office and principal place of business at 5601 Skylab Road,
Huntington Beach, California 92647. Plaintiff SRI Sports Limited is the parent company of
Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc. and a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
Japan, having its principle place of business in Chuo-Ku Kobe Japan. Roger Cleveland Golf
Company, Inc. and SRI Sports Limited shall be jointly referred to herein as Cleveland Golf.
Cleveland Golf is, in part, engaged in the business of manufacturing and distributing throughout
the world, including within this Judicial District, golf equipment and related products under
multiple world famous common law and federally registered trademarks including those
organized under the laws of Arizona having its office and principal place of business at 2201 W.
Desert Cove, Phoenix, Arizona 85029. Karsten is the parent company of Ping, Inc., which is, in
part, engaged in the business of manufacturing and distributing throughout the world, including
within this Judicial District, high quality golf equipment and related products under multiple
world famous common law and federally registered trademarks including those identified in
paragraph 42 below.
(“TaylorMade-adidas Golf”), is a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware, having its
office and principal place of business at 5545 Fermi Court, Carlsbad, California 92008.
TaylorMade-adidas Golf is, in part, engaged in the business of manufacturing and distributing
throughout the world, including within this Judicial District, high quality golf equipment and
3
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 4 of 31
related products under multiple world famous common law and federally registered trademarks
THE DEFENDANTS
7. Defendants are individuals who likely reside in the People’s Republic of China.
Defendants conduct business throughout the United States, including within this Judicial District
through the operation of the fully interactive commercial websites existing under the Subject
Domain Names identified on Schedule “A” hereto. Defendants also operate blog style websites
under the Subject Domain Names identified on Schedule “B” hereto, which provide support and
direct consumer traffic to the fully interactive websites operating under the Subject Domain
Names identified on Schedule “A.” Upon information and belief Defendant Hainan uses the
aliases Martin Parker, An Shide, Cai Xiaobai, Cheery Brown, Ed Brownstein, Gary D, Hans
Richmond, Ishiner, Jane Smith, Jitendra Kumar, Judy Steets, Marcus Hamill, Mon Hong, Qiuren
Wei, Roger David, Roger Needles, Tay Craig, Tony Ginger, Wed Cathy, Zhang Bo, and
Zhangxing; and Defendant Zhang uses the aliases Peter Eddison and Chris White, in conjunction
with the operation of the Subject Domain Names. Plaintiffs are presently unaware of the true
names of Does 1-10, although they are generally identified as the owners, operators, partners, or
managing agents of the Subject Domain Names. Plaintiffs will amend this Complaint upon
8. Defendants are the past and present moving and conscious forces behind the
operation of the commercial Internet websites operating under the Subject Domain Names.
for sale and sale of goods bearing counterfeits and infringements of one or more of Plaintiffs’
individual trademarks to consumers within this District through multiple fully interactive
4
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 5 of 31
commercial websites operating under, at least, the Subject Domain Names. Defendants, upon
information and belief, also operate additional websites which promote and offer for sale
counterfeit and infringing goods under domain names not yet known to Plaintiffs. Defendants
have purposefully directed some portion of their illegal activities towards consumers in the State
of Florida through the advertisement, offer to sell, sale and shipment of their counterfeit branded
10. Upon information and belief, Defendants will continue to register new domain
names for the purpose of selling goods bearing counterfeits of Plaintiffs’ respective trademarks
than illegal operations established and operated to infringe the intellectual property rights of
12. Defendants have registered, established or purchased, and maintained the Subject
Domain Names. Upon information and belief, Defendants have engaged in fraudulent conduct
with respect to the registration of the Subject Domain Names by providing false and/or
13. Defendants’ Subject Domain Names and any other domain names used in
connection with the sale of counterfeits bearing Plaintiffs’ respective trademarks are essential
components of Defendants’ counterfeiting and infringing activities and are the means by which
Defendants further their counterfeiting schemes and cause harm to Plaintiffs. Moreover,
Defendants are using Plaintiffs’ respective famous names and trademarks to drive Internet
consumer traffic to their websites operating under the Subject Domain Names, thereby creating
and increasing the value of the Subject Domain Names at Plaintiffs’ expense.
5
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 6 of 31
14. Acushnet is one of the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of golf
equipment, including, golf balls marketed under the trademark Titleist. Acushnet introduced the
first Titleist golf ball in 1935. The company’s products are used by many players on the
worldwide professional tour. For many years, products bearing the Acushnet Marks have been
used by golf professionals to win hundreds of professional golf tournaments around the world,
such as the U.S. Open, the Masters, and the Open Championship, and various others events such
15. Acushnet is and at all times relevant hereto has been, the owner of all rights in
and to the following trademarks, which are valid and registered on the Principal Register of the
United States Patent and Trademark Office (collectively the “Acushnet Marks”):
Registration Registration
Trademark Class / Goods
Number Date
August 14,
TITLEIST 316,118 IC 028 - golf balls
1934
IC 028 - golf equipment comprising
TITLEIST 934,406 May 23, 1972 golf balls, golf clubs, golf bags, golf
gloves and golf headcovers
IC 028 - golf equipment, namely, golf
1,155,766 May 26, 1981
balls, golf clubs and golf bags
January 20,
PRO V1 2,806,919 IC 028 - golf balls
2004
August 10,
AP2 3,831,911 IC 028 - golf clubs
2010
August 10,
3,831,914 IC 028 - golf clubs
2010
6
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 7 of 31
The Acushnet Marks are used in connection with the manufacture and distribution of high
16. The Acushnet Marks have been used in interstate commerce to identify and
17. The Acushnet Marks have never been assigned or licensed to any of the
18. The Acushnet Marks are a symbol of Acushnet quality, reputation and goodwill
19. Further, Acushnet has expended substantial time, money and other resources
developing, advertising and otherwise promoting the Acushnet Marks. The Acushnet Marks
20. Acushnet has extensively used, advertised and promoted the Acushnet Marks in
the United States in association with the sale of high quality products and has carefully
21. The Acushnet Marks have achieved secondary meaning as identifiers high quality
goods as a result of Acushnet’s advertisement, promotion and sale of such goods thereunder.
identify merchandise bearing or sold under the Acushnet Marks, as being high quality
23. Since 1982, Callaway Golf has been involved with the development of some of
golf’s most advanced technology, including the first oversized steel driver known as the Big
Bertha. Many top professional golfers use and/or endorse Callaway Golf’s products.
7
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 8 of 31
24. Callaway Golf is and at all times relevant hereto has been, the owner of all rights
in and to the following trademarks, which are valid and registered on the Principal Register of
the United States Patent and Trademark Office (collectively the “Callaway Golf Marks”):
Registration Registration
Trademark Class / Goods
Number Date
Callaway Golf 2,941,846 April 19, 2005 IC 025 - golf shoes and spikes
8
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 9 of 31
The Callaway Golf Marks are used in connection with the manufacture and distribution of high
25. The Callaway Golf Marks have been used in interstate commerce to identify and
distinguish Callaway Golf’s high quality goods for an extended period of time.
26. The Callaway Golf Marks have never been assigned or licensed to any of the
27. The Callaway Golf Marks are symbols of Callaway Golf’s quality, reputation and
28. Further, Callaway Golf has expended substantial time, money and other resources
developing, advertising and otherwise promoting the Callaway Golf Marks. Specifically,
through equipment and funding, Callaway Golf supports a wide range of golf events throughout
the country including the ESPN National Golf Challenge, the Callaway Pebble Beach
Invitational, and the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships. The Callaway Golf Marks
9
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 10 of 31
29. Callaway Golf has extensively used, advertised and promoted the Callaway Golf
Marks in the United States in association with the sale of high quality products and has carefully
30. The Callaway Golf Marks have achieved secondary meaning as identifiers of high
quality goods as a result of Callaway Golf’s advertisement, promotion and sale of such goods
thereunder.
31. As a result of Callaway Golf’s efforts, members of the consuming public readily
identify merchandise bearing or sold under the Callaway Golf Marks, as being high quality
32. Cleveland Golf manufactures and sells high-quality golf clubs, golf equipment,
and apparel. Cleveland Golf is world-renowned for its production of high quality golf wedges,
33. SRI Sports Limited is the owner, and Roger Cleveland Golf Company, Inc. is the
licensee of all rights in and to the following trademarks, which are valid and registered on the
Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (collectively the “Cleveland
Golf Marks”):
Registration Registration
Trademark Class / Goods
Number Date
10
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 11 of 31
The Cleveland Golf Marks are used in connection with the manufacture and distribution of high
34. The Cleveland Golf Marks have been used in interstate commerce to identify and
distinguish Cleveland Golf’s high quality goods for an extended period of time.
35. The Cleveland Golf Marks have never been assigned or licensed to any of the
36. The Cleveland Golf Marks are symbols of Cleveland Golf’s quality, reputation
37. Further, Cleveland Golf has expended substantial time, money and other
resources developing, advertising and otherwise promoting the Cleveland Golf Marks. The
Cleveland Golf Marks qualify as famous marks as that term is used in 15 U.S.C. §1125(c)(1).
11
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 12 of 31
38. Cleveland Golf has extensively used, advertised and promoted the Cleveland Golf
Marks in the United States in association with the sale of high quality products and has carefully
39. The Cleveland Golf Marks have achieved secondary meaning as identifiers of
high quality goods as a result of Cleveland Golf’s advertisement, promotion and sale of such
goods thereunder.
40. As a result of Cleveland Golf’s efforts, members of the consuming public readily
identify merchandise bearing or sold under the Cleveland Golf Marks, as being high quality
41. Karsten was formed in the 1960’s. In 1998, Ping, Inc. (“Ping”), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Karsten, was created to take over Karsten’s golf equipment manufacturing
operations. Karsten and Ping are credited with numerous innovations that have become industry
standards, including perimeter weighting, custom fitting and the use of investment casting in the
manufacturing of golf clubs. Their insistence on adhering to strict engineering principles and
tight manufacturing tolerances raised the level of product performance and quality throughout
the golf industry. Ping prides itself on innovation, quality and service in the world of golf, and
42. Karsten is and at all times relevant hereto has been, the owner of all rights in and
to the following trademark, which is valid and registered on the Principal Register of the United
12
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 13 of 31
Registration Registration
Trademark Class / Goods
Number Date
September 20,
PING 704,552 IC 28 - Golf clubs
1960
The Karsten Mark is used in connection with the manufacture and distribution of high quality
43. The Karsten Mark has been used in interstate commerce to identify and
44. The Karsten Mark has never been assigned or licensed to any of the Defendants in
this matter.
45. The Karsten Mark is a symbol of Karsten’s quality, reputation and goodwill and
46. Further, Karsten has expended substantial time, money and other resources
developing, advertising and otherwise promoting the Karsten Mark. The Karsten Mark qualifies
47. Karsten has extensively used, advertised and promoted the Karsten Mark in the
United States in association with the sale of high quality products and has carefully monitored
48. The Karsten Mark has achieved secondary meaning as an identifier of high
quality goods as a result of Karsten’s advertisement, promotion and sale of such goods
thereunder.
49. As a result of Karsten’s efforts, members of the consuming public readily identify
merchandise bearing or sold under the Karsten Mark, as being high quality merchandise
13
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 14 of 31
50. TaylorMade-adidas Golf manufactures and sells high-quality golf clubs, golf
51. TaylorMade-adidas Golf is and at all times relevant hereto has been, the owner
and/or licensee of all rights in and to the following trademarks, which are valid and registered on
the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (collectively the
Registration Registration
Trademark Class / Goods
Number Date
14
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 15 of 31
15
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 16 of 31
The TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks are used in connection with the manufacture and
52. The TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks have been used in interstate commerce to
identify and distinguish TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s high quality goods for an extended period of
time.
53. The TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks have never been assigned or licensed to any
55. Further, TaylorMade-adidas Golf has expended substantial time, money and other
resources developing, advertising and otherwise promoting the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks.
The TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks qualify as famous marks as that term is used in 15 U.S.C.
§1125(c)(1).
56. TaylorMade-adidas Golf has extensively used, advertised and promoted the
TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks in the United States in association with the sale of high quality
products and has carefully monitored and policed the use of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks.
public readily identify merchandise bearing or sold under the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks, as
16
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 17 of 31
59. Upon information and belief, at all times relevant hereto, Defendants in this action
had full knowledge of Plaintiffs’ respective ownership of the Plaintiffs Marks, including their
respective, exclusive rights to use and license such intellectual property and the goodwill
associated therewith.
60. Plaintiffs have discovered Defendants are promoting and advertising, distributing,
selling and/or offering for sale at least (i) golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, and golf gloves bearing
counterfeit and infringing trademarks which are exact copies of the Acushnet Marks; (ii) golf
clubs, golf balls, golf bags, golf shoes, golf towels, and caps bearing counterfeit and infringing
trademarks which are exact copies of the Callaway Golf Marks; (iii) golf clubs bearing
counterfeit and infringing trademarks which are exact copies of the Cleveland Golf Marks; (iv)
golf clubs bearing counterfeit and infringing trademarks which are exact copies of the Karsten
Mark; and (v) golf clubs, golf putters, golf balls, golf bags, umbrellas, and caps bearing
counterfeit and infringing trademarks which are exact copies of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf
Defendants are using the Plaintiffs Marks in the same stylized fashion, for different quality
goods.
61. Upon information and belief, Defendants’ Counterfeit Goods are of a quality
substantially different than that of Plaintiffs’ respective, genuine goods. Despite the nature of the
Counterfeit Goods and the knowledge they are without authority to do so, Defendants, upon
information and belief, are actively using, promoting and otherwise advertising, distributing,
selling and/or offering for sale substantial quantities of their Counterfeit Goods with the
knowledge that such goods will be mistaken for the genuine high quality goods offered for sale
17
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 18 of 31
by Plaintiffs. The net effect of Defendants’ actions will be to result in the confusion of
consumers who will believe Defendants’ Counterfeit Goods are genuine goods originating from,
62. Defendants advertise their Counterfeit Goods for sale to the consuming public via
websites operating under at least the Subject Domain Names. In so advertising these goods,
Defendants use the Plaintiffs Marks. Indeed, Defendants herein misappropriated Plaintiffs’
advertising ideas and entire styles of doing business with regard to the advertisement and sale of
Plaintiffs’ respective, genuine goods. Upon information and belief, the misappropriation of
Plaintiffs’ advertising ideas in the form of the Plaintiffs Marks is the proximate cause of damage
to Plaintiffs.
63. Upon information and belief, Defendants are targeting their counterfeiting and
infringing activities toward consumers and causing harm within this District and elsewhere
throughout the United States. As a result, Defendants are defrauding Plaintiffs and the
consuming public for Defendants’ own benefit. Defendants’ infringement and disparagement of
Plaintiffs and their respective Marks does not simply amount to the wrong description of their
goods or the failure of the goods to conform to the advertised quality or performance.
64. Defendants’ use of the Plaintiffs respective Marks, including the promotion and
advertisement, reproduction, distribution, sale and offering for sale of their Counterfeit Goods, is
65. Further, Defendants are engaging in the above-described illegal counterfeiting and
infringing activities knowing and intentionally or with reckless disregard or willful blindness to
Plaintiffs’ rights for the purpose of trading on the respective goodwill and reputations of
Plaintiffs. If Defendants’ intentional counterfeiting and infringing activities are not preliminarily
18
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 19 of 31
and permanently enjoined by this Court, Plaintiffs and the consuming public will continue to be
harmed.
66. Defendants’ above identified infringing activities are likely to cause confusion,
deception and mistake in the minds of consumers, the public and the trade. Moreover,
Defendants’ wrongful conduct is likely to create a false impression and deceive customers, the
public and the trade into believing there is a connection or association between Plaintiffs’
68. Plaintiffs are suffering irreparable injury and have suffered substantial damages as
69. The harm and damages sustained by Plaintiffs have been directly and proximately
caused by Defendants’ wrongful reproduction, use, advertisement, promotion, offers to sell, and
70. Plaintiffs have retained the undersigned counsel to represent them in this matter
and are obligated to pay said counsel a reasonable fee for such representation.
71. Plaintiffs hereby readopt and re-allege the allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1
through 69 above.
Defendants based on their use of counterfeits of the Plaintiffs respective Marks in commerce in
connection with the promotion, advertisement, distribution, offering for sale and sale of the
Counterfeit Goods.
19
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 20 of 31
73. Defendants are promoting and otherwise advertising, selling, offering for sale,
and distributing at least golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, and golf gloves, using counterfeits and
infringements of one or more of the Acushnet Marks. Defendants are continuously infringing and
inducing others to infringe the Acushnet Marks by using them to advertise, promote and sell
counterfeit and infringing golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, and golf gloves.
74. Defendants are promoting and otherwise advertising, selling, offering for sale,
and distributing at least golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, golf shoes, golf towels, and caps, using
counterfeits and infringements of one or more of the Callaway Golf Marks. Defendants are
continuously infringing and inducing others to infringe the Callaway Golf Marks by using them
to advertise, promote and sell counterfeit and infringing golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, golf
75. Defendants are promoting and otherwise advertising, selling, offering for sale,
and distributing at least golf clubs, using counterfeits and infringements of one or more of the
Cleveland Golf Marks. Defendants are continuously infringing and inducing others to infringe
the Cleveland Golf Marks by using them to advertise, promote and sell counterfeit and infringing
golf clubs.
76. Defendants are promoting and otherwise advertising, selling, offering for sale,
and distributing at least golf clubs, using counterfeits and infringements of the Karsten Mark.
Defendants are continuously infringing and inducing others to infringe the Karsten Mark by
using it to advertise, promote and sell counterfeit and infringing golf clubs.
77. Defendants are promoting and otherwise advertising, selling, offering for sale,
and distributing at least golf clubs, golf putters, golf balls, golf bags, umbrellas, and caps, using
counterfeits and infringements of one or more of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks. Defendants
20
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 21 of 31
are continuously infringing and inducing others to infringe the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks
by using them to advertise, promote and sell counterfeit and infringing golf clubs, golf putters,
78. Defendants’ counterfeiting and infringing activities are likely to cause and
actually are causing confusion, mistake and deception among members of the trade and the
general consuming public as to the origin and quality of Defendants’ Counterfeit Goods.
79. Defendants’ unlawful actions have caused and are continuing to cause
infringement of the Plaintiffs respective Marks in violation of Plaintiffs’ respective rights under
81. Plaintiffs have each suffered and will continue to suffer irreparable injury due to
the above described activities of Defendants if Defendants are not preliminarily and permanently
enjoined.
82. Plaintiffs hereby readopt and re-allege the allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1
through 69 above.
83. Defendants’ Counterfeit Goods bearing and sold under copies of the Plaintiffs
respective Marks have been widely advertised and distributed throughout the United States.
84. Defendants’ Counterfeit Goods bearing and sold under copies of the Plaintiffs
respective Marks are virtually identical in appearance to each of Plaintiffs’ respective, genuine
goods. However, Defendants’ Counterfeit Goods are different and likely inferior in quality.
21
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 22 of 31
Accordingly, Defendants’ activities are likely to cause confusion in the trade and among the
85. Defendants, upon information and belief, have used in connection with their sale
of the Counterfeit Goods, false designations of origin and false descriptions and representations,
including words or other symbols and trade dress which tend to falsely describe or represent such
goods and have caused such goods to enter into commerce with full knowledge of the falsity of
such designations of origin and such descriptions and representations, all to the detriment of
Plaintiffs.
86. Defendants have authorized infringing uses of the Acushnet Marks in Defendants’
advertisement and promotion of their counterfeit and infringing golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags,
and golf gloves. Defendants have misrepresented to members of the consuming public that the
Counterfeit Goods being advertised and sold by them are genuine, non-infringing goods.
87. Defendants have authorized infringing uses of the Callaway Golf Marks in
Defendants’ advertisement and promotion of their counterfeit and infringing golf clubs, golf
balls, golf bags, golf shoes, golf towels, and caps. Defendants have misrepresented to members
of the consuming public that the Counterfeit Goods being advertised and sold by them are
88. Defendants have authorized infringing uses of the Cleveland Golf Marks in
Defendants’ advertisement and promotion of their counterfeit and infringing golf clubs.
Defendants have misrepresented to members of the consuming public that the Counterfeit Goods
89. Defendants have authorized infringing uses of the Karsten Mark in Defendants’
advertisement and promotion of their counterfeit and infringing golf clubs. Defendants have
22
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 23 of 31
misrepresented to members of the consuming public that the Counterfeit Goods being advertised
90. Defendants have authorized infringing uses of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks
in Defendants’ advertisement and promotion of their counterfeit and infringing golf clubs, golf
putters, golf balls, golf bags, umbrellas, and caps. Defendants have misrepresented to members
of the consuming public that the Counterfeit Goods being advertised and sold by them are
92. Plaintiffs have each sustained injury and damage caused by Defendants’ conduct,
and absent an entry of an injunction by this Court, each Plaintiffs will continue to suffer
irreparable injury to their respective goodwill and business reputations as well as monetary
damages.
93. TaylorMade-adidas Golf hereby readopts and re-alleges the allegations set forth in
94. At all times relevant hereto, TaylorMade-adidas Golf has been and still is the
owner of the rights, title and interest in and to the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks.
95. Upon information and belief, Defendants have acted with the bad faith intent to
profit from the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks and the goodwill associated with the
which is identical to, confusingly similar to or dilutive of at least one of the TaylorMade-adidas
Golf Marks.
23
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 24 of 31
Golf Marks.
Marks and constitutes a willful violation of TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s rights in the TaylorMade-
rights.
100. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs demand judgment on all Counts of this Complaint and
their agents, representatives, servants, employees, and all those acting in concert or participation
promoting, distributing, selling or offering to sell their Counterfeit Goods; from infringing,
counterfeiting, or diluting the Acushnet Marks, Callaway Golf Marks, Cleveland Golf Marks,
Karsten Mark, and/or TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks; from using the Acushnet Marks,
Callaway Golf Marks, Cleveland Golf Marks, Karsten Mark, and/or TaylorMade-adidas Golf
Marks, or any mark or trade dress similar thereto, in connection with the sale of any
unauthorized goods; from using any logo, trade name or trademark or trade dress which may be
24
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 25 of 31
calculated to falsely advertise the services or goods of Defendants as being sponsored by,
authorized by, endorsed by, or in any way associated with Plaintiffs; from falsely representing
any act which is likely to falsely cause members of the trade and/or of the purchasing public to
believe any goods or services of Defendants are in any way endorsed by, approved by, and/or
associated with Plaintiffs; from using any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation
of the Acushnet Marks in connection with the publicity, promotion, sale, or advertising of any
goods sold by Defendants, including, without limitation, golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, and
golf gloves; from using any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of the
Callaway Golf Marks in connection with the publicity, promotion, sale, or advertising of any
goods sold by Defendants, including, without limitation, golf clubs, golf balls, golf bags, golf
shoes, golf towels, and caps; from using any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable
imitation of the Cleveland Golf Marks in connection with the publicity, promotion, sale, or
advertising of any goods sold by Defendants, including, without limitation, golf clubs; from
using any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of the Karsten Mark in
connection with the publicity, promotion, sale, or advertising of any goods sold by Defendants,
including, without limitation, golf clubs; from using any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or
colorable imitation of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks in connection with the publicity,
promotion, sale, or advertising of any goods sold by Defendants, including, without limitation,
golf clubs, golf putters, golf balls, golf bags, umbrellas, and caps; from affixing, applying,
annexing or using in connection with the sale of any goods, a false description or representation,
including words or other symbols tending to falsely describe or represent Defendants’ goods as
25
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 26 of 31
being those of Plaintiffs, or in any way endorsed by Plaintiffs and from offering such goods in
b. Entry of an order requiring the Subject Domain Names, and any other
domain names being used by Defendants to engage in the business of selling goods bearing
counterfeits and infringements of the Acushnet Marks, Callaway Golf Marks, Cleveland Golf
Marks, Karsten Mark, and/or TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks to be disabled and/or immediately
c. Entry of an Order that the top level domain (TLD) Registry for each of the
Subject Domain Names shall not aid and/or abet, and/or participate, in Defendants' unlawful
d. Entry of an Order that, upon Plaintiffs’ request, the top level domain
(TLD) Registry for each of the Subject Domain Names place the Subject Domain Names on
Registry Hold status, thus removing them from the TLD zone files maintained by the Registries
which link the Subject Domain Names to the IP address where the associated websites are
hosted.
engines, Web hosts, domain-name registrars and domain-name registries or administrators which
are provided with notice of the injunction, cease facilitating access to any or all websites through
which Defendants engage in the promotion, offering for sale and/or sale of goods bearing
counterfeits and/or infringements of the Acushnet Marks, Callaway Golf Marks, Cleveland Golf
26
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 27 of 31
for Assigned Names and Numbers (“ICANN”) shall take all actions necessary to ensure that the
top level domain Registries responsible for the Subject Domain Names facilitate the transfer
all profits and damages resulting from Defendants’ trademark infringing and counterfeiting and
unfairly competitive activities and that the award to Plaintiffs be trebled, as provided for under
15 U.S.C. §1117, or, at Plaintiffs’ election with respect to Count I, that Plaintiffs be awarded
statutory damages from each Defendant in the amount of two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) per
each counterfeit trademark used and product sold, as provided by 15 U.S.C. §1117(c)(2) of the
Lanham Act.
TaylorMade-adidas Golf for all profits and damages resulting from Defendants’ cyberpiracy
activities and that the award to Plaintiff TaylorMade-adidas Golf be trebled, as provided for
under 15 U.S.C. §1117, or, at Plaintiff TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s election with respect to Count
III, that Plaintiff TaylorMade-adidas Golf be awarded statutory damages from Defendants in the
amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) per pirated domain name used as
j. Entry of an order requiring all funds, up to and including the total amount
of judgment, in payment accounts or money transfer systems used in connection with the Subject
Domain Names, including PayPal, Inc., The Western Union Company, MoneyGram and other
27
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 28 of 31
l. Entry of an Order for any further relief as the Court may deem just and
proper.
By: ______s:/smgaffigan/_________________
Stephen M. Gaffigan (Fla. Bar No. 025844)
Virgilio Gigante (Fla. Bar No. 082635)
401 East Las Olas Blvd., Suite 130-453
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Telephone: (954) 767-4819
Facsimile: (954) 767-4821
Email: Stephen@smgpa.net
E-mail: leo@smgpa.net
28
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 29 of 31
SCHEDULE A
SUBJECT DOMAIN NAMES
1. allstockonline.com
2. buzzgolfclubs.com
3. clubsgolfsale.com
4. dcgolfclubs.com
5. discountgolfclubs18.com
6. drgolfstore.com
7. easybuygolf.com
8. golfbuydiscount.com
9. golfclubcheap.com
10. golfclubsbest.com
11. golfdiscountdirect.com
12. golfequiponline.com
13. golforderonline.com
14. golf-parc.com
15. golfsale18.com
16. golfsales365.com
17. golfsaleus.com
18. golfsaleworld.com
19. golfseasonss.com
20. golfsmartdeal.com
21. golfstore18.com
22. golfstore365.com
23. golfstoreorder.com
24. golfsuno.com
25. golfsuper118.com
26. golfsuperprice.com
27. golfsuperstoreonline.com
28. golfsuperworld.com
29. golfwholesale365.com
30. golfwholesaleseller.com
31. golfwon.com
32. golfzone18.com
33. greatestgolfclubs.com
34. greatsnowboots.com
35. higolfclubs.com
36. hotsalegolf.com
37. idealgolfclubs.com
38. igolfnuts.com
39. istockgolf.com
40. lovegolfclubs.com
41. mygolfclubsforsale.com
42. mygolfpurchase.com
43. onlinegolf118.com
29
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 30 of 31
44. onlinegolf18.com
45. pickgf.com
46. pickgolfclubs.com
47. putterbuy.com
48. qidan.info
49. qqmvp.biz
50. qqmvp.in
51. tmgolfclub.com
52. usdiscountgolf.com
53. usgolfsale.com
54. usgolfsale18.com
55. wgbuy.com
56. wholesalegolf118.com
57. yourgolfhomes.com
30
Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 31 of 31
SCHEDULE B
SUBJECT DOMAIN NAMES
1. athleticsbar.com
2. bestsportinglife.com
3. comeongolf.com
4. golfheavenus.com
5. golfutilityclubs.com
6. golfworld18.com
7. lovegolfonline.com
8. prosportsoutdoor.com
9. sportingturner.com
10. sportssaleonline.com
11. taylormader9irons.org
31