Liv Golf is piling up with legal problems. With its lawsuit against the PGA and DP World Tour over alleged monopoly attempts still ongoing, the Saudi super league will have to deal with another matter in court, this one over its name and logo.
Liv Golf, situation
A famous nightclub located in the Fontainebleau Hotel, in one of the most exclusive areas of Miami (Florida, USA), had previously registered the same name and has challenged the circuit’s request to become a registered trademark in a local court.
They allege that “visually, phonetically and aurally” there is a coincidence, as well as in the “products/services offered”. According to information published by Sports Business Journal, from the nightclub, which has been regularly visited by celebrities such as Lebron James, George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio, and which takes its name as a tribute to Studio 54, a mythical venue in New York, they affirm that Their brand is present “all over the planet” and has been in use for “15 years”, and they believe that if the golf organization of the same name is registered, it could lead consumers to think that both are “affiliated”.
Now a judge will have to decide on the matter, and it remains to be seen what the consequences of denying LIV Golf the copyright over its brand would be. The Rules of Golf are a set of standard rules and procedures by which the sport of golf should be played.
They are jointly written and maintained by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, the governing body for golf worldwide, outside of the United States and Mexico, which are governed by the United States Golf Association.
An expert commission made up of members of the R&A and USGA, oversees and refines the rules every four years. The latest revision has been in force since January 1, 2016. Changes to the rules of golf generally fall into two main categories: those that improve understanding and those that in certain cases reduce penalties to ensure balance.
The rule book, entitled “Rules of Golf”, is published on a regular basis and also includes rules governing amateur status. In Italy it is up to Federgolf to supervise the competitions by enforcing the rules issued by the R & A, checking that these rules are observed by the Clubs, Associations and their members and manages the resulting sporting justice, protecting their interests abroad.
