Fresh off a recent ruling following their Pro V1 spat, Callaway and Titleist have promptly returned to the courtroom for another battle over alleged golf ball patent infringements.
Acushnet asserts that Callaways Tour i and Tour ix golf balls infringe nine patents from Acushnet's extensive golf ball patent portfolio that covers multi-piece, solid core technology.
Likewise, Callaways new allegations contend the new 2009 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls infringe golf ball patents owned by Callaway Golf. Callaways new suit follows the successful patent infringement action filed by Callaway Golf in 2006 which resulted in a permanent injunction, halting sales of earlier versions of Pro V1 line.
Acushnet said it plans to vigorously defend against assertions by Callaway that the 2009 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls infringe Callaways patent rights. The company says these claims are without merit, as Acushnet has designed its new Pro V1 models to be outside the claims of all Callaway patents. Acushnet has asked the court to rule that the patents asserted by Callaway are not infringed and are invalid.
Acushnet is also in the process of filing for reexamination of these and other Callaway patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Acushnet also underscored that it “remains confident in its ongoing appeal” before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit of the mixed verdict rendered more than a year ago in the long-running patent dispute with Callaway related to the validity of four patents that Callaway previously asserted.
