Tiger Woods and Nike recently ended their 27-year partnership, raising questions about the fate of the iconic “TW” logo adorning golf apparel. Documents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reveal that the ownership of the TW logo has consistently belonged to Woods’s company, ETW Corp, using the golfer’s full name, Eldrick Tont Woods.
Intellectual-property attorney Josh Gerben notes that the ownership of the TW trademark has remained unchanged since its initial filing, indicating Woods has been the sole owner throughout. This ownership raises intriguing possibilities for the future use of the iconic logo. According to Ed Karis, managing partner at Klaris Law, if there’s no contractual agreement between Nike and Woods restricting his use of the TW logo, Woods could potentially use or license it to other golf-apparel brands.
The separation between Woods and Nike could lead to a new chapter for the famed logo, with golf fans eagerly anticipating its reappearance on different brands. The absence of a contractual constraint opens the door for Woods to explore various opportunities and partnerships in the golf-apparel industry, leveraging the enduring appeal of the TW logo.
As the golf world watches closely, the fate of the iconic logo adds an extra layer of intrigue to Tiger Woods’s post-Nike endeavors, marking a significant development in his longstanding relationship with the sportswear giant.