Titleist answers questions about Pro V1 injunction

As we recently reported, a court in Delaware granted Callaway Golf's request for an injunction to stop Acushnet from selling the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls. Acushnet, however, plans to appeal the ruling and says it will not impact the company's ability to sell Pro V1s.

Now, on Titleist's Web site, the company has posted the answers to several questions that golfers might have about the ruling, including whether players will be able to buy the popular golf balls after December 31, 2008. Below are a few key questions and answers. All of the questions are here.

Will golfers be able to play and purchase Titleist Pro V1 golf balls after January 1, 2009?
Yes. The recent court order will not impact our ability to supply Golf Shops with Pro V1 golf balls. In September 2008, we converted production of the existing Pro V1 models so that they are outside the scope of the patents in question. Golf Shops can continue to order and take delivery of Pro V1 golf balls now and after January 1, 2009 and golfers can continue to play with and purchase Pro V1 with confidence.

How can I distinguish between the existing Pro V1 golf balls and the converted models?
Converted Pro V1 models have the same packaging and sidestamps as the existing models. However, there is a small black or red circular sticker or marking on every Pro V1 dozen box and sleeve to identify the converted production.

When can golfers play New 2009 Pro V1 golf balls?
Titleist will launch New 2009 Pro V1 golf balls in the 1st quarter of 2009. The technology and construction of New 2009 Pro V1 golf balls are outside the scope of the patents. In Q1 2009, golfers can learn about the exciting new product improvements via their local golf shop, on Titleist.com and in other Titleist advertising and communications.

Comments

[Lowe]

So Titleist lost 2 lawsuits against Callaway, hm... so Titleist balls are really Callaway balls? So Callaway is the innovator here and not Titleist? Given the market share you would think it's the other way around.

[Dan]

Callaway didn't invent anything. They bought Top-Flite, and Top-Flite's patents along with it. They also got a gullible jury to believe that the Pro V1 infringed on the patent on the design of the old Top-Flite Strata. This is nothing more than patent trolling by Callaway.

[DJ]

Stick with Bridgestone/Precept. Enough of these clowns and their lawyers.

[Cam]

"Gullible jury?" Nice faith you have in your legal system, Dan. As I'm sure Fortune Brands lawyers were just as good and as highly paid as Callaway's, I'm sure the jury, in both cases, weren't 'gullible' twice.

[T]

The Pro V1 is a junk ball anyway, who cares. The best players in the world use Nike One and Taylormade TP balls.

[Roy Johnson]

One ball is as good as any other one. Just ask all the ball hawkers on the golf course. Who needs a great ball when you have Bagger Vance coaching you anyway!!!!!!!!!

[Tim]

Cam, it is not the legal system that I have faith in it is the fact that the jury system in this country is not capable of dealing with the complex issues in most court cases. Jury's are gullible and always have been. That is the nature of juries, which is why some countries have abolished the "jury of your peers" system. Dan is right.

[CRay]

A bad legal system and 2 gullible jury's..?!?

L.O.L ... lets stop the Playhouse 90 and let's be honest ... Titleist has had the name, but has has done little to really compete -- they got caught, twice, cheating...

I think the picture is more like "gullible buyers" who spend $40+ on golf balls that give them the same 220 yards on their tee shots, but like to say it's 260 yards .l.o.l...

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[Jazzamania]

Titleist is full of it and they are the ones playing lawyer games at this point. They cheated, that's it and now they are trying to minimize the effects. No more Titleist balls for this player.

[MrGrinch]

but I always play pro v1's... if they change the ball in anyway i think i will not play them anymore.

[Larry Collum, Hazleton, PA]

If golfers believe that golf balls make the difference in thier game then I have stock in the brooklyn bridge for them to buy. There is not anything that will help the average player more than 1 hour of practice 3 times a week. You cannot buy a game.

[J, Riggins]

If you took the label off the Titelist - Callaway - Srixon - Nike and Bridgestone balls - you would not know what your playing. They are all very very good now...

[m. roth]

I've been in the golf business 15 years and this is what I've concluded...90% of golfers lie about their score because they don't play 100% by the rules. 90% of golfers think they hit the ball 25-75 yards farther than they really do. 90% of golfers couldn't break 90 if their lives depended on it. 90% of golfers playing stiff shafts shouldn't be and 90% of the golfers buying ProV1's are wasting their money. Congrats to Titleist on scamming the golfing world with their $48 golf balls, $400 drivers, $800 irons and $300 Scotty Cameron putters.

[R.Jos]

J Riggins - I don't know about the scamming of the golf world, but boy did you hit the nail on the head with your 90% comments, especially about what golfers say there scores are and how far they hit the ball. I am so tired of players who don't play by the rules tell me what they score, because they probably need to add 5-10 strokes per round.
Anyhow, I've seen that the new model ProVI will be sold in 09 - my question is this - will it still be legal for golfers to use any "old" Pro VI's in 2009 and beyond? I haven't seen any posts on this.

[KWu]

Played ProV1 for 15 years and I never bought one. They are all over the woods.

[Dabogeygolfer]

Concur with KWu.

[steelbuster]

The US Patent Office is reevaluating the Patents in question and has published it's Opinion that the first of the Callaway patents is invalid, with it's Opinion on the other 3 to follow soon.
Sooo.. the case is a long way from over.

As to not being able to tell the difference between balls....If anyone would like to come to MN with a little cash, we could test that claim.

[dale]

Don't waste money on all these over priced golf balls.
The Top Flite D2 Feel is by far the best ball for the price.
It's not a Prov1x but most golfers don't need that ball anyway.

Good feel off the driver and outstanding feel off the irons.