Costco’s Kirkland Irons Land Them In a Lawsuit With TaylorMade

Costco’s Kirkland Signature Players Irons hit the market late last year, but their technology has now landed them in a lawsuit with TaylorMade.

Kirkland has been offering golf equipment at an affordable price for several years. Everything from balls and gloves to putters and irons has been made available for a fraction of the price of those from reputable and long-standing golf brands. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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However, TaylorMade has found an issue with the recently released Kirkland Signature Players Irons and has decided to take Costco, along with the manufacturer, Southern California Design Company (SCDC), to court over the iron set’s tech.

TaylorMade said in a complaint that the Kirkland brand irons infringe on several patents tied to the P790 irons, especially the hollow-cavity design.

Golf.com initially reported the lawsuit.

The complaint states:

“The accused products copy many features and technologies from TaylorMade’s P790 irons and the asserted patents. 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.’”

TaylorMade also says Costco falsely advertised the inclusion of an injected urethane insert. The Kirkland Players Irons do not have this insert inside of the head:

“The statement by Defendants that the accused products contain an ‘injected urethane insert’ is literally false, or in the alternative, is misleading and, on information and belief, has actually deceived or has a tendency to deceive consumers in a way that influences purchasing decisions.”

This is not the first time TaylorMade has taken a company to court over its iron design being potentially infringed upon.

In 2017, PXG filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Taylormade. A settlement was reached in 2019.

Cover Image via MyGolfSpy