When Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red clothing line was first introduced earlier this year, it was mocked for both its unusual name and its high costs. However, now, the renowned golfer is facing accusations of “unlawful hijacking.
“US manufacturer Tigeraire, which produces air-conditioned helmets for gridiron players, has launched a lawsuit against Woods and Sun Day Red, claiming that they violated trademark laws by stealing the company’s design.
Although there is a clear similarity by the two emblems, Woods’s brand partner TaylorMade says it has “full confidence in the securitization of our trademarks.
“Woods’s application for the design, which features a tiger composed of 15 lines to represent the number of majors he has won, will be immediately halted due to the issue, although American trademark attorney Josh Gerben told news station CNBC that it is “unlikely to affect future production.
“If nothing else, it is a setback for the collection, which has faced criticism ever since it was initially made public following Woods’ departure from Nike following a nearly 30-year partnership that brought the Californian billionaire to its knees.
Aside from the ridiculous moniker, which TaylorMade described as “originating from being outside in the sun, the excitement of playing golf during the day, and a unique red being the brand’s power color,” A plain white T-shirt with a tiny logo in the bottom left corner retails for more than £60.
Despite this, Woods and TaylorMade remain optimistic, as the range “sold out in hours” when it was officially launched on the website in May. The boss also assures us that “as Sun Day Red expands into foreign markets and women’s clothing, sales are projected to spike to $80 million-$10 0million [£60 million-£75 million] by the end of 2025 − and then over $200 million per annum in 2026.”
Woods and the Sun Day Red team have 40 days to respond to the notice of opposition that Tigeraire has filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office.Given that his injured body is still hindering his competitive recovery, it is hardly his fault.
Since Sun Day Red hit the market, he has only participated in six rounds and has missed the cut in the US Open, USPGA, and Open. After yet another injury setback, the golfer, who is currently rated 999th in the world, is a doubt for the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas at the end of November, which was supposed to be his next appearance.
The tournament is being sponsored by his own foundation.Two weeks ago, Woods disclosed that he had microdecompression surgery on his lower back to address the discomfort and spasms in his back that he was experiencing.