PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., March 3 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network — Pebble Beach Company, owner of the world famous Pebble Beach Golf Links, announced that it has obtained a permanent injunction against the owners and developers of a “replica” golf course at Northern Bay Golf Resort and Marina in Wisconsin. The entry of the Final Judgment by a federal court noted the validity of the Pebble Beach
federal marks, the fact that these marks are very “famous,” and the fact that
the unauthorized use of the term “Pebble Beach” by the developers constitutes
“service mark infringement, dilution and unfair competition.” The Judgment
immediately and permanently enjoined the owners, developers and all others in
concert with them to refrain from using the term “Pebble Beach” to identify,
advertise, describe or refer to their golf course or any other goods or
services. Further, they were also expressly enjoined from stating or implying
that their golf hole is or was a “replica” of or “inspired by” a hole from
Pebble Beach.
Mark Stilwell, Pebble Beach Company’s Executive Vice President and General
Counsel, stated that “the entry of the Final Judgment achieved the company’s
objective to preserve and protect the integrity and goodwill of its world
famous ‘Pebble Beach’ mark. Pebble Beach Company has expended considerable
time and effort to establish the reputation for world-class quality that the
public associates with our Pebble Beach brand. We take that reputation
seriously, and vigorously enforce our rights. Our company remains dedicated
to protecting our rights to the exclusive use of our most famous brand and the
reputation associated with it. We are pleased that the Judgment protects our
rights and reputation.”
The entry of the Judgment coincides with the recent recognition, as
reported in The Robb Report, that the company’s Pebble Beach brand is one of
the 30 most famous brands in the world.
Pebble Beach Company, headquartered in Pebble Beach, California, owns and
operates the world-famous Pebble Beach Resorts, including The Lodge at Pebble
Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay, and Casa Palmero. The Company’s famed
properties also include the scenic 17-Mile Drive and four renowned golf
courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at
Spanish Bay, and Del Monte Golf Course.
