Callaway acushnet maintains
In yet another chapter in their ongoing legal dispute, Callaway Golf and Acushnet Co. – which owns Titleist – filed patent infringement suits against each other March 3.
Acushnet asserts that Callaway’s Tour i and Tour ix golf balls infringe nine of its U.S. patents dealing with multi-piece, solid-core technology; Callaway claims the new 2009 Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls infringe on Callaway patents.
Litigation between the two companies has existed since 2006.
Initially, Callaway alleged earlier versions of the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x infringed upon four patents. That action ultimately led to an injunction halting sales of some earlier-version Pro V1 family models. The case, however, is under appeal; Acushnet maintains Callaway’s claims are without merit.
Nevertheless, when creating its newest iteration of the Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls, Acushnet stated the new models were designed outside of the scope of Callaway patents.
In its latest legal action, Callaway alleges the 2009 Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls infringe on two additional patents in its portfolio.
Acushnet is asking the court to rule the patents in question are not infringed and are invalid. Acushnet also is in the process of filing for reexamination of the two Callaway patents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
In a written statement, Acushnet officials said the litigation does not impact the company’s customers or consumers from purchasing the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls.
In the statement Joe Nauman, Acushnet’s executive vice president, corporate and legal, said: “We are hopeful that these matters can be resolved, but we will continue to protect our intellectual property rights.”
Countered Steve McCracken, Callaway’s senior executive vice president and chief administrative officer, in a statement: “As long as Titleist – or any competitor – continues to introduce products that we believe infringe our patents, we will continue to seek relief in the courts.”
The FT-9 replaces the FT-5 driver and joins the FT-iQ in Callaway’s FT family. Whereas the FT-iQ has a squarish head, the FT-9 has a rounder crown and more-traditional look.
Both FT drivers exhibit extremely high MOI (stability) measurements, according to Callaway.
The biggest eye-catching feature of the FT-9 is a web weighting system on the lower-rear section of the driver head. By using a carbon-composite body and titanium face, Callaway engineers were able to move discretionary weight into this webbing system.
Among other features, the FT-9’s web weighting allows manipulation of the bias of the club – a draw version will fight slices and pushes, and a Tour version of the driver will aid players whose tendency is to hook the ball.
The FT-9 Tour also is designed to produce a lower, more-penetrating trajectory for skilled players.
Lofts for the FT-9 (draw and neutral versions) are 9, 10, 11 and 13 degrees. The FT-9 Tour comes in lofts of 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5. Fujikura’s ZCom shaft is standard in both.
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