Puma has filed a lawsuit challenging Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red logo, claiming that the logo is too similar to their own “leaping cat” logo, which they have been using since 1969.
Puma argues that there is a likelihood of consumer confusion due to the similarity between the marks and the nature of the goods and services offered by both companies.
- Puma’s Claims: Puma has filed a “notice of opposition” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office against the Sun Day Red logo, asserting that the logo could cause consumer confusion due to its similarity to Puma’s long-standing “leaping cat” logo. They argue that the logos are similar enough to cause confusion, especially since both companies deal in related apparel, footwear, and sports equipment sectors.
- Sun Day Red’s Response: TaylorMade, the company behind Sun Day Red, expressed confidence in their trademarks and logos in response to the lawsuit, but no specific counter-arguments or detailed legal responses have been publicly outlined yet.
- Previous Legal Challenges: Sun Day Red was already embroiled in a similar legal battle with Tigeraire, which also claimed that the Sun Day Red logo infringed on their trademark. That case is still in litigation, suggesting that Sun Day Red might face a prolonged legal battle on two fronts.
- Potential Outcomes:
- Settlement: Given the comments from trademark attorneys, there’s a possibility that both parties might reach a settlement before going to trial, which might happen as late as September 2026. This could involve Sun Day Red modifying their logo or an agreement on coexistence terms.
- Court Decision: If the case proceeds to trial, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office could either allow or deny the Sun Day Red trademark based on the similarity and potential for consumer confusion. A court might also rule on whether Puma’s logo is distinctive enough to claim exclusive rights over similar designs in the same market.
- Impact on Branding: Regardless of the legal outcome, the publicity from these lawsuits might affect Sun Day Red’s branding strategy, possibly leading to a redesign or reevaluation of their marketing approach.
- Current Status: The lawsuit is still in the opposition phase at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and there’s no final word on how this will impact Sun Day Red’s operations or logo usage. The legal proceedings could take time, with a potential trial date not until the following year if no settlement is reached.
This legal action is not the first for Sun Day Red; previously, another company named Tigeraire also filed a lawsuit against Sun Day Red for allegedly “unlawfully hijacking” their logo design. Both cases remain in litigation, with Puma’s challenge potentially having a significant impact due to their established presence in the sportswear industry.
The Sun Day Red logo, which features a leaping tiger with 15 stripes representing Woods’ major championship wins, has thus become a focal point of legal contention in the apparel market.
