Barakat + Bossa represents Stinger Golf in trademark fight with LIV Golf

Barakat + Bossa is representing Stinger Tees, Inc. d/b/a Stinger Golf in a federal trademark and unfair competition case against LIV Golf and related parties in South Florida. The lawsuit centers on alleged unauthorized use of the STINGER name for LIV Golf’s Stinger GC team and merchandise, with prior USPTO refusals also cited in the complaint. Why it matters: - The case could shape who controls the STINGER name in golf branding, merchandise and online promotion. - A win for Stinger Golf could reinforce the value of federal trademark registrations in blocking confusingly similar sports marks. - The dispute also reaches tournament marketing and retail channels, not just team naming. What happened: - Barakat + Bossa is representing Stinger Tees, Inc. d/b/a Stinger Golf in a federal trademark infringement and unfair competition action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. - The defendants are LIV Golf Inc., World Wide Golf Brands Ltd. d/b/a Stuburt, and Fairway TM Co 6, LLC, which is identified in the case caption as Stinger GC. - The complaint alleges unauthorized use of the STINGER name in connection with LIV Golf’s Stinger GC team and related merchandise. - The case is pending under Case No. 25-cv-22508-CMA. The details: - Stinger Golf says it has longstanding trademark rights and federal trademark registrations tied to the STINGER mark. - Stinger Golf manufactures approximately 20 million golf tees each year. - The complaint says the STINGER branding appeared on merchandise, apparel, online retail platforms, social media channels and tournament-related marketing tied to LIV Golf’s Stinger GC team. - The lawsuit includes federal trademark infringement and unfair competition claims under the Lanham Act, plus related Florida common law claims. - The complaint also references prior USPTO proceedings in which LIV Golf’s applications to register the STINGER GC mark were refused because of likely confusion with Stinger Golf’s existing registrations. - The litigation team includes Brian Barakat and Patrick Furman of Barakat + Bossa, along with John DiMatteo of DiMatteo & Associates and Joseph Sofer of Sofer & Haroun, LLP. Between the lines: - The USPTO refusals may give Stinger Golf added leverage by showing regulators already saw a confusion risk. - The dispute underscores how sports teams, sponsors and merchandise sellers can collide over short brand names that have value across multiple channels. - Because the case is already public and pending, the complaint signals a formal escalation rather than a private branding dispute. What’s next: - The federal case will move forward in the Southern District of Florida unless the parties reach a settlement. - The court will weigh the trademark rights, alleged confusion and the scope of the challenged branding use. - Any ruling could affect how LIV Golf brands Stinger GC and its associated merchandise going forward. The bottom line: - The lawsuit puts LIV Golf’s Stinger GC branding squarely in a trademark fight over who owns the STINGER name in golf.**