Callaway has announced it has won a bid to legally prohibit Golfclubseurope.com, and its family of websites, from parallel importing Callaway products into theUKand EU region.
An order entered on 30 August 2012, by the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division puts a halt to any ‘grey market‘ Callaway products being offered for sale by Golfclubseurope.com. Such activities act to undermine Callaway’s own carefully established, consumer-oriented distribution programs.
Brian Lynch, Callaway’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, said: “The successful conclusion of this case sends out a very clear message to unauthorised retailers. It also demonstrates how we protect and support the strong relationships we have built with our own Preferred Retail Partners.”
Mr. Lynch further commented: “We take grey market activities extremely seriously and actively enforce our trademark rights across the territories in which we trade.”
Golfclubseurope.com, an online business based inCosta Rica, but selling product across the EU region, held no Callaway inventory as stock, but actively used an unauthorised supply route to fulfil customer orders.
Neil Howie, President and Managing Director of Callaway Europe, Middle East andAfrica, said: “Customers that purchased products from Golfclubseurope.com would have been unaware they were buying clubs from an unofficial channel. We spend significant amounts of money supporting authorised routes to market that, in turn, ensure our customers, both trade and consumer, receive the very best service.
“Practices such as those undertaken by Golfclubseurope.com tarnish our brand and reputation and we are pleased that legal proceedings against this company have now finally resolved this long-running situation,” added Neil Howie.
Callaway Golf www.callawaygolf.com