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LIV Golf Lawsuits Not Over Yet: Mickelson’s HyFlyers Sued Over Copyright Infringement
If you thought that LIV Golf’s legal issues would be a thing of the past after last week’s announcement of a partnership with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, think again.
The parent company for popular skateboarding and lifestyle brand Fallen filed suit in federal court against LIV and the HyFlyers GC team, captained by Phil Mickelson, accusing the league of copying its logo.
Attorneys for Cool Brands Supply, based in Argentina, argue that “defendants’ adoption and use of their knockoff logo nearly twenty years after Plaintiff commenced use and in the face of Plaintiff’s federal trademark registration is not just reckless and inexplicable — it is willful infringement and unfair competition.”
LIV Golf and Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC sued over ‘nearly identical’ logo https://t.co/n6PRhYsM2H pic.twitter.com/ZQCeEPqJej
— New York Post (@nypost) June 12, 2023
LIV has yet to respond to the suit. You can see both logos for yourself.
🚨#NEW: LIV Golf’s HyFlyers GC are being sued in New Jersey Court for trademark infringement. The lawsuit, filed by Cool Brands Supply alleges that their logo, which has been in use since 2003 by one of their popular skate brands has been ripped off. LIV (left) vs. Fallen… pic.twitter.com/1Wjw5uzhNH
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 12, 2023
The HyFlyers team, which also includes Brendan Steele, Cameron Tringale, and James Piot, debuted the new logo in question for the 2023 season. Mickelson has worn it on his apparel at the Masters—where he finished runner-up—and at the PGA Championship.
“The similarities between the two marks, particularly when used on clothing, are striking, and are confusing consumers and causing damage to Plaintiff’s senior mark and brand,” Cool Brands Supply’s attorneys wrote in the complaint. “Plaintiff previously demanded that Defendants cease use of their infringing logo, and they refused.”
It remains to be seen if Mickelson will be wearing HyFlyers gear at this week’s U.S. Open.
I’ve been a bit “chippy” on Twitter lately. In honor of that, here’s a chipping tip to help you get out of some tough lies. @HyFlyers_GC pic.twitter.com/Of66LDUAIp
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 10, 2023
Cover Image via Twitter
