USGA Obtains Injunction against Trademark Infringement

Far Hills, N.J. – The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey has issued a permanent injunction protecting the trademarks of the United States Golf Association. 

On Jan. 19, 2010, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a permanent injunction that protects USGA trademarks against infringement by entities that use USGA trademarks in an unauthorized manner to market, offer or sell handicap calculation services. The court issued the injunction as the result of a lawsuit filed by the USGA last year.

The injunction was issued against ISaAC Scoring Systems, LLC, an internet golf service company based in Houston, Texas. ISaAC Scoring Systems, as well as its partners, associates, agents and related parties are permanently prohibited from using USGA trademarks, in particular USGA®, Handicap Index® or GHIN® in marketing, offering or selling its handicap calculation services. The injunction also prohibits ISaAC Scoring Systems from purporting to offer a USGA Handicap, USGA Handicap Index, USGA Handicap Index Card or USGA Handicap Service.  

The injunction also prohibits ISaAC Scoring Systems from creating the false or misleading impression that the company or related parties are in any way affiliated with or approved by the USGA. The injunction protects the USGA’s trademarks and means that ISaAC Scoring Systems cannot make claims that it is a resource for acquiring or maintaining a USGA Handicap, that its services comply with the USGA Handicap System or that it offers a qualified USGA Handicap Index.