TaylorMade Sues Costco for Patent Infringement Over Kirkland Brand of Irons

Costco made waves in the golf industry last month when its in-house set of irons debuted on the market and sold out quickly.

The Kirkland Signature Player Irons sold for $499, which seems like it’s too good to be true for golf fans. 

TaylorMade says it is too good to be true.

The longtime club manufacturer is suing Costco and club designer Southern California Design Company in U.S District Court in California, alleging that the club violates five separate patents TaylorMade holds for its P790 brand of irons introduced in 2017.

TaylorMade has filed a lawsuit against Costco for patent infringement and false advertisement of its irons technology. @jonathanrwall https://t.co/eENNTlBhgl

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) February 2, 2024

“The accused products copy many features and technologies from TaylorMade’s P790 irons and the asserted patents,” the complaint reads. “Costco’s website notes that the accused products are ‘are built for distance and forgiveness with a stainless steel body, injected urethane insert, and an internal tungsten weight for optimal launch, forgiveness, and playability.’”

Included in the court filing are 11 exhibits that TaylorMade says proves Costco infringed on patents held by the plaintiff. The complaint also says an engineer who is currently with SCDC used to work for TaylorMade. 

TaylorMade is suing for compensatory damages in an amount they want proven in a jury trial.

Cover Image via Golf