Two of the world's leading golf ball makers are in a legal tussle over the alleged infringement of a patented ball endorsed by US legend Arnold Palmer. A unit of the world's biggest tyre-maker, Bridgestone Corp of Japan, filed suit at the US District Court in Atlanta, Georgia, this week alleging dirty tricks by Callaway Golf Ball Co of the US.
Callaway has hit back, vowing to file a counter-suit against Bridgestone Sports Co to get the case dismissed amid mutterings of sour grapes.
Bridgestone Sports alleged in its suit filed on Monday that Callaway's "Rule 35" ball infringed no less than four of its patents for technology used in balls favoured by professionals and the serious amateur.
The suit demands damages and a halt to production of the ball by Callaway.
But the US firm insisted the suit was out of bounds.
"It probably is no coincidence that this action has been taken after the Callaway Rule 35 golf ball has gained a significant share of the US premium golf ball market for a new entrant, and is about to be launched in September in Japan," Callaway president Chuck Yash said in a release posted on the Internet.
The Rule 35 ball was the result of more than three years of research and development and over $170 million in investment, said Callaway.
Along with Palmer, Colin Montgomerie, Annika Sorenstam and Bruce Fleisher also use Rule 35.
