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Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 1 of 31

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT


SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
CASE NO.

ACUSHNET COMPANY, CALLAWAY


GOLF COMPANY, ROGER CLEVELAND
GOLF COMPANY, INC., SRI SPORTS
LIMITED, KARSTEN MANUFACTURING
CORPORATION, and TAYLOR MADE
GOLF COMPANY, INC.

Plaintiffs,

vs.

TANG HAINAN, XUD ZHANG,


and DOES 1-10.

Defendants.
/

COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

Plaintiffs, Acushnet Company, Callaway Golf Company, Roger Cleveland Golf

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

Domain Names”) and allege as follows:

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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

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

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

2. Plaintiff Acushnet Company (“Acushnet”) is a corporation organized under the

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

federally registered trademarks including those identified in paragraph 15 below.

3. Plaintiff Callaway Golf Company (“Callaway Golf”) is a corporation organized

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.

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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

identified in paragraph 33 below.

5. Plaintiff Karsten Manufacturing Corporation (“Karsten”) is a corporation

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.

6. Plaintiff Taylor Made Golf Company, Inc., a subsidiary of adidas AG

(“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

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related products under multiple world famous common law and federally registered trademarks

including those identified in paragraph 51 below.

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

discovery of the identities of such fictitious Defendants.

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.

9. Upon information and belief, Defendants engage in the advertisement, offering

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

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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

goods into the State.

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

unless preliminarily and permanently enjoined.

11. Defendants’ entire Internet-based website businesses amount to nothing more

than illegal operations established and operated to infringe the intellectual property rights of

Plaintiffs and others.

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

misleading information to their various Registrars during the Registration process.

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.

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COMMON FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

Acushnet’s Business and Trademark Rights

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

as the World Golf Championships.

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

1,601,034 June 12, 1990 IC 028 - golf balls

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
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The Acushnet Marks are used in connection with the manufacture and distribution of high

quality goods in the categories identified above.

16. The Acushnet Marks have been used in interstate commerce to identify and

distinguish Acushnet's high quality goods for an extended period of time.

17. The Acushnet Marks have never been assigned or licensed to any of the

Defendants in this matter.

18. The Acushnet Marks are a symbol of Acushnet quality, reputation and goodwill

and have never been abandoned.

19. Further, Acushnet has expended substantial time, money and other resources

developing, advertising and otherwise promoting the Acushnet Marks. The Acushnet Marks

qualify as famous marks as that term is used in 15 U.S.C. §1125(c)(1)

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

monitored and policed the use of the Acushnet Marks.

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.

22. As a result of Acushnet’s efforts, members of the consuming public readily

identify merchandise bearing or sold under the Acushnet Marks, as being high quality

merchandise sponsored and approved by Acushnet.

Callaway Golf’s Business and Trademark Rights

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.

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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

IC 028 - golf clubs, golf bags, golf


club heads, golf club shafts, head
Odyssey 1,704,295 July 28, 1992
covers for golf clubs, hand grips for
golf clubs, and golf balls
IC 024 - golf towels
IC 025 - shirts, sweaters, jackets, hats,
Callaway Golf 2,160,157 May 26, 1998 caps and visors
IC 028 - golf clubs, golf bags, and golf
club head covers

IC 024 - golf towels


IC 025 - shirts, sweaters, jackets, hats,
2,161,569 June 2, 1998 caps, and visors
IC 028 - golf clubs, golf bags, and golf
club head covers

Callaway 2,166,033 June 16, 1998 IC 028 - golf clubs

Callaway 2,360,664 June 20, 2000 IC 028 - golf balls

September 30, IC 028 - golf club, golf club head


Big Bertha 2,769,319
2003 covers and golf bags
IC 025 - shirts, sweaters, jackets, wind
September 7, resistant jackets, hats, caps, visors,
2,883,072
2004 pants, shorts, t-shirts, golf shoes and
spikes

Callaway Golf 2,941,846 April 19, 2005 IC 025 - golf shoes and spikes

FT-i 3,263,223 July 10, 2007 IC 028 - golf clubs

March 17, IC 028 - covers for golf clubs; golf


FT-9 3,593,203
2009 club covers; golf clubs

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March 24, IC 028 - golf clubs; head covers for


3,595,821
2009 golf clubs; golf bags; golf balls
September 1, IC 028 - golf bags; golf balls; golf
3,677,707
2009 clubs; head covers for golf clubs
IC 028 - golf clubs, golf club head
January 12,
FT-iZ 3,737,687 covers, golf bags and component club
2010
heads
November 9,
X-24 HOT 3,874,857 IC 028 - golf clubs
2010

RAZR Hawk 3,979,419 June 14, 2011 IC 028 - golf clubs

The Callaway Golf Marks are used in connection with the manufacture and distribution of high

quality goods in the categories identified above.

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

Defendants in this matter.

27. The Callaway Golf Marks are symbols of Callaway Golf’s quality, reputation and

goodwill and have never been abandoned.

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

qualify as famous marks as that term is used in 15 U.S.C. §1125(c)(1).

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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

monitored and policed the use of the Callaway Golf Marks.

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

merchandise sponsored and approved by Callaway Golf.

Cleveland Golf’s Business and Trademark Rights

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,

and other products.

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

IC 018 - carry all bags and umbrellas.


IC 025 - golf apparel, namely, shirts,
caps, visors, sweatshirts and sweater
vests.
2,070,051 June 10, 1997
IC 028 - golf clubs, golf club heads,
golf club shafts, golf club grips, golf
bags, golf bag covers, and golf club
head covers.

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IC 018 - carry all bags and umbrellas.


IC 025 - golf apparel, namely, shirts,
caps, visors, sweatshirts and sweater
vests.
CLEVELAND 2,070,054 June 10, 1997
IC 028 - golf clubs, golf club heads,
golf club shafts, golf club grips, golf
bags, golf bag covers, and golf club
head covers.
December 21, IC 028 - golf clubs, and golf club
2,302,251
1999 heads, namely, woods, irons and putters
IC 025 - Golf wear, namely, caps.
December 16, IC 028 - Bags, namely, golf bags,
SRIXON 2,993,532
1997 equipment for golf, especially, but not
limited to, golf balls, golf clubs.

IC 028 - Golf clubs and golf club heads,


namely, wedges, iron-type golf clubs
ZIP GROOVES 3,463,468 July 8, 2008
and metal wood-type golf clubs and
heads.

The Cleveland Golf Marks are used in connection with the manufacture and distribution of high

quality goods in the categories identified above.

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

Defendants in this matter.

36. The Cleveland Golf Marks are symbols of Cleveland Golf’s quality, reputation

and goodwill and have never been abandoned.

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).

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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

monitored and policed the use of the Cleveland Golf Marks.

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

merchandise sponsored and approved by Cleveland Golf.

Karsten’s Business and Trademark Rights

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

Ping game-improvement products can be found in more than seventy countries.

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

States Patent and Trademark Office (the “Karsten Mark”):

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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

goods in the category identified above.

43. The Karsten Mark has been used in interstate commerce to identify and

distinguish Karsten’s high quality goods for an extended period of time.

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

has never been abandoned.

46. Further, Karsten has expended substantial time, money and other resources

developing, advertising and otherwise promoting the Karsten Mark. The Karsten Mark qualifies

as a famous mark as that term is used in 15 U.S.C. §1125(c)(1).

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

and policed the use of the Karsten Mark.

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

sponsored and approved by Karsten.

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Taylor Made Golf’s Business and Trademark Rights

50. TaylorMade-adidas Golf manufactures and sells high-quality golf clubs, golf

equipment, and apparel.

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

“TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks”):

Registration Registration
Trademark Class / Goods
Number Date

TAYLOR MADE 1,200,542 July 6, 1982 IC 028 - Golf Clubs.

December 3, IC 028 - golf bags and golf club head


TAYLOR MADE 1,374,009
1985 covers.
September 30,
BURNER 1,411,498 IC 028 - golf clubs.
1986
August 26,
RESCUE 2,092,034 IC 028 - golf clubs.
1997
IC 018 - Golf umbrellas, luggage and
bags, namely, non-canvas tote bags,
for golfers.
IC 025 - Clothing, namely, hats, visors,
2,557,110 April 2, 2002 caps.
IC 028 - Golf equipment, namely golf
clubs, golf grips, putters, shafts, golf
balls, golf gloves, golf tees, golf club
covers, and golf bags.

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IC 018 - Golf umbrellas, luggage and


bags, namely, non-canvas tote bags,
for golfers.
IC 025 - Clothing, namely, hats, visors,
caps, shirts, skirts, blouses, sweaters,
2,557,111 April 2, 2002 slacks, shorts, jackets, coats, pullovers,
cardigans and shoes.
IC 028 - Golf equipment, namely golf
clubs, golf grips, putters, shafts, golf
balls, golf gloves, golf tees, golf club
covers, and golf bags.

IC 028 - Golf equipment, namely, golf


ROSSA 2,820,220 March 2, 2004 clubs, golf grips, putters, shafts, golf
club covers, and golf bags.
IC 028 - Golf equipment, namely, golf
R7 2,960,850 June 7, 2005 clubs, wedges, irons, golf club heads,
golf club shafts.
December 20, IC 028 - Golf equipment, namely, golf
3,032,873
2005 clubs, shafts, golf club covers.
IC 028 - Golf equipment, namely golf
clubs, golf putters, golf clubheads, golf
AGSI 3,252,375 June 12, 2007
clubhead inserts, golf club covers, and
golf bags.

IC 028 - Golf equipment, namely golf


3,276,214 August 7, 2007
clubs, and shafts.

IC 028 - Golf equipment, namely, golf


R9 3,652,607 July 7, 2009
clubs, golf heads, golf club shafts.
August 25,
BURNER PLUS 3,673,923 IC 028 - Golf clubs.
2009
September 8,
BURNER 3,680,379 IC 028 - Golf balls
2009
IC 028 - golf equipment, namely, golf
October 26,
3,868,743 clubs, shafts, golf balls, golf gloves,
2010
golf club covers and golf bags.
IC 028 - Golf equipment, namely, golf
R11 3,951,066 April 26, 2011 clubs, golf grips, golf club heads, golf
club shafts, and golf bags.

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The TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks are used in connection with the manufacture and

distribution of high quality goods in the categories identified above.

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

of the Defendants in this matter.

54. The TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks are symbols of TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s

quality, reputation and goodwill and have never been abandoned.

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.

57. The TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks have achieved secondary meaning as

identifiers of high quality goods as a result of TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s advertisement,

promotion and sale of such goods thereunder.

58. As a result of TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s efforts, members of the consuming

public readily identify merchandise bearing or sold under the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks, as

being high quality merchandise sponsored and approved by TaylorMade-adidas Golf.

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Defendants’ Infringing Activities

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

Marks (collectively, “Counterfeit Goods”). Specifically, upon information and belief,

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

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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,

associated with, and approved by Plaintiffs.

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

without Plaintiffs’ consent or authorization.

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

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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’

respective genuine goods and Defendants’ Counterfeit Goods.

67. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law.

68. Plaintiffs are suffering irreparable injury and have suffered substantial damages as

a result of Defendants’ counterfeiting and infringing activities.

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

sale of their Counterfeit Goods.

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.

COUNT I - TRADEMARK COUNTERFEITING AND INFRINGEMENT

71. Plaintiffs hereby readopt and re-allege the allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1

through 69 above.

72. This is an action for trademark counterfeiting and infringement against

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.

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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

shoes, golf towels, and caps.

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

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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,

golf balls, golf bags, umbrellas, and caps.

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

unquantifiable damages to Plaintiffs.

80. Defendants’ above-described illegal actions constitute counterfeiting and

infringement of the Plaintiffs respective Marks in violation of Plaintiffs’ respective rights under

§ 32 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114.

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.

COUNT II - FALSE DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN


PURSUANT TO § 43(a) OF THE LANHAM ACT

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.

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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

general public as to at least the origin or sponsorship of their Counterfeit Goods.

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

genuine, non-infringing goods.

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

being advertised and sold by them are genuine, non-infringing 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

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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

and sold by them are genuine, non-infringing goods.

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

genuine, non-infringing goods.

91. Defendants’ above-described actions are in violation of Section 43(a) of the

Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §1125(a).

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.

COUNT III - CLAIM FOR RELIEF FOR CYBERPIRACY


UNDER §43(d) OF THE LANHAM ACTION (15 U.S.C. §1125(d)
(TaylorMade-adidas Golf Only)

93. TaylorMade-adidas Golf hereby readopts and re-alleges the allegations set forth in

Paragraphs 1 through 69 above.

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

TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks by registering at least the domain name taylormader9irons.org,

which is identical to, confusingly similar to or dilutive of at least one of the TaylorMade-adidas

Golf Marks.

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Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 24 of 31

96. Defendants have no intellectual property rights in or to the TaylorMade-adidas

Golf Marks.

97. Defendants’ actions constitute cyberpiracy in violation of §43(d) of the Lanham

Act, 15 U.S.C. §1125(d).

98. Defendants’ conduct is done with knowledge of the TaylorMade-adidas Golf

Marks and constitutes a willful violation of TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s rights in the TaylorMade-

adidas Golf Marks. At a minimum, Defendants’ conduct is undertaken in reckless disregard of

TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s rights or demonstrates willful blindness to TaylorMade-adidas Golf’s

rights.

99. The aforesaid conduct is causing TaylorMade-adidas Golf immediate and

irreparable injury and TaylorMade-adidas Golf has no adequate remedy at law.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

100. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs demand judgment on all Counts of this Complaint and

an award of equitable relief and monetary relief against Defendants as follows:

a. Entry of preliminary and permanent injunctions enjoining Defendants,

their agents, representatives, servants, employees, and all those acting in concert or participation

therewith, from manufacturing or causing to be manufactured, importing, advertising or

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

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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

themselves as being connected with Plaintiffs, through sponsorship or association, or engaging in

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

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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

commerce; and from otherwise unfairly competing with Plaintiffs.

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

transferred by Defendants, their Registrars and/or the Registries to Plaintiffs’ control.

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

counterfeiting activities by allowing customers to connect to the Defendant counterfeiters'

websites, or accept transmissions of registration information from registrars which receive

Defendants' orders for domain name registrations and registration renewals.

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.

e. Entry of an Order that, upon Plaintiffs’ request, any Internet search

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

Marks, Karsten Mark, and/or TaylorMade-adidas Golf Marks.

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Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 27 of 31

f. Entry of an Order that, upon Plaintiffs’ request, the Internet Corporation

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

and/or disable the Subject Domain Names.

g. Entry of an Order requiring Defendants to account to and pay Plaintiffs for

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.

h. Entry of an Order requiring Defendants to account to and pay Plaintiff

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

provided by 15 U.S.C. §1117(d) of the Lanham Act.

i. Entry of an award of Plaintiffs’ costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees and

investigative fees associated with bringing this action.

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

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Case 1:11-cv-23557-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/30/2011 Page 28 of 31

payment processing accounts, to be surrendered to Plaintiffs in partial satisfaction of the

monetary judgment entered herein.

k. Entry of an award of pre-judgment interest on the judgment amount.

l. Entry of an Order for any further relief as the Court may deem just and

proper.

DATED: September 30, 2011. Respectfully submitted,

STEPHEN M. GAFFIGAN, P.A.

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

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

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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

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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

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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

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