The University of Alabama has filed an opposition to a trademark application being sought by Dustin Johnson’s LIV Golf team, 4 Aces GC.
Dustin Johnson’s LIV Golf squad, 4 Aces GC, is facing a legal challenge just before this week’s LIV Golf Andalucia in Spain.
The University of Alabama has submitted a formal objection to Johnson’s 4 Aces GC logo, claiming that it bears a striking resemblance to their own logo. John Nucci, a Sports Law Attorney, confirmed this legal action.
Johnson, a two-time major champion, leads the 4 Aces GC team, which includes Patrick Reed, Pat Perez, and Harold Varner III.
The 4 Aces, who emerged victorious in the first season of 2022, are currently facing a tough time with their performance in 2024.
They are currently placed 10th out of 13 teams.
Johnson’s team might encounter additional difficulties following today’s latest legal update.
Sports Law Attorney Nucci was the individual who disclosed this information, less than 24 hours before the beginning of the first round of LIV Golf Andalucia.
Context: trademark owners have a responsibility to protect their trademarks from infringement.
If they fail to take action against potential infringers, it can weaken their mark and/or eliminate their rights.
Alabama’s opposition could be for the purpose of ensuring they keep…
— John Nucci (@JNucci23) July 11, 2024
Nucci tweeted:
NEW: the University of Alabama has filed an opposition to LIV’s “4 Aces” trademark application, arguing that:
The 4 Aces design contains the “same literal element” as Alabama’s, and the style of the letter “is visually similar to and creates a commercial impression similar to” the Alabama design.
LIV has faced other trademark challenges from Adidas and Fallen Footwear.
The University of Alabama’s objection to the 4 Aces GC logo, as mentioned in Nucci’s tweet, may be aimed at maintaining their trademark enforcement rather than expressing confidence in winning the case.
This objection comes after seven months since Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC had to alter their logo.
In June 2023, Mickelson’s team was sued by Fallen, an apparel company, for copyright infringement.
Last year, adidas also took legal action against LIV Golf, claiming that the logo of the breakaway Saudi golf league resembled their ‘three stripes’ trademark too closely.
No public announcement has been made regarding the status of adidas’ legal action against LIV Golf.
Johnson’s partnership with adidas came to an end in the beginning of 2023.
DJ inked a deal with LIV Golf for around $150 million in 2022.
Additionally, he decided to part ways with his PGA Tour card.
Johnson, aged 40, has suggested recently that he will probably retire from professional golf well before reaching the age of 50 in order to dedicate more time to his family, including his children and wife Paulina Gretzky.
Johnson is currently participating in the 10th LIV Golf tournament of the season in Spain this week.
He clinched his third career championship on LIV Golf earlier this season in Las Vegas.
However, he has only achieved three top-10 finishes all season.
DJ failed to make the cut at The Masters and US Open this season, and he finished T43 at the US PGA.
Following his participation in Spain, the 24-time PGA Tour champion will travel to Royal Troon, Scotland, to take part in the 152nd Open Championship next week.
Despite never winning The Open, DJ can still participate in the final major of the season due to his Masters victory in 2020.
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