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Costco is Being Sued Over a New Kirkland Brand Product Shoppers Absolutely Love

The warehouse store might need to take a mulligan with this product launch even though shoppers can’t get enough of it.

By Ariel Taranski

Edited by Tracy Odell

Updated Sept. 24, 2024

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Looks like Costco is in hot water over one of their products. Even though shoppers love Kirkland brand items for their name-brand quality at substantial savings, this time, it may have landed them in trouble. All thanks to some Kirkland Signature golf clubs being a little too close to similar brand-name clubs.

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The product in dispute

set of 7 kirkland signature iron golf clubs from costco

Costco’s Kirkland Signature Irons are a set of seven golf clubs that come in at $499. Their specifications include:

True Temper Elevate 115 Steel Shaft
Lamkin Crossline 360 Grip
Set Includes: 4-9 Iron and Pitching Wedge (7 Total Clubs)

These affordable dupes have a similar quality to name brands, specifically TaylorMade. And even though this set of golf clubs sold out quickly on Costco’s website, they’re running into legal issues over the design.

Why Costco is being sued

TaylorMade is suing Costco for how “the iron’s design infringes on several patents tied to the company’s popular P790 iron that has a similar hollow-cavity design.” The brand is also suing the superstore giant for "false and misleading statements in violation."

There are five patents in total that TaylorMade is disputing against Costco and their golf clubs. And since TaylorMade’s irons have been voted some of the best golf irons, it’s no wonder they want to keep their name and quality intact.

Costco’s previous lawsuits

This isn’t the first time Costco has been sued. Back in 2017, Costco and the notable Tiffany & Co. brand went head-to-head over some “Tiffany” rings the superstore was selling. Costco sold over 3,000 of these rings in stores and the jury ultimately sided with Tiffany in the case.

Any publicity is good publicity?

This lawsuit could potentially be good for sales. People online are talking about these Costco golf clubs and want them now more than ever. Some Redditor comments:

“Best publicity Kirkland could have hoped for with these irons.” - erinsfone
“I was mildly interested when they first sold out. Now, I want a set if they offer them again.” - K0kyu
“Now I want some. I’m not even in the market for a new set.” - MondayNightRawr

Some even speculate that this lawsuit may end up being frivolous if both Costco and TaylorMade happened to import from the same company.

Bottom line

What many call the “Streisand effect” is in play over these golf clubs; many customers weren’t even aware of these irons until TaylorMade decided to sue. The lawsuit has only put more attention on the Costco clubs and their bargain price.

The TaylorMade clubs in question cost close to $1,400 while the Costco version costs just $499. At that price difference, it’s no wonder savvy shoppers are eager to snag a set of these Kirkland golf irons.

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