Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. Inc. filed a lawsuit Thursday against Wilson Sporting Goods Co. , alleging that it violated Rawlings’ trademark for the original Gold Glove Award.
In the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in St. Louis, Rawlings is seeking injunctive relief, an accounting for profits, damages, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees for federal trademark infringement, unfair competition, dilution and false advertising.
According to the lawsuit, Wilson used a baseball glove with metallic gold-colored webbing, stitching and letters that it manufactured in promotional photos with Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds , and Rawlings alleges that infringes on its Gold Glove Award trademarks.
Rawlings started the Gold Glove Award in 1957 to recognize outstanding fielding by professional baseball players. The award is given to nine players from the American League and nine from the National League each year. The award itself consists of a gold baseball glove attached to a base. Winners who use Rawlings gloves also receive a functional glove carrying metallic gold markings.
Phillips, a three-time Gold Glove Award winner, is an endorser for Wilson. He has used the Wilson glove with gold-colored webbing during games, warm-ups and practices, and Phillips and Wilson also have promoted the glove itself in various media, Rawlings alleges in court documents.
Among the 981 recipients to date of Rawlings' Gold Glove Award are Ozzie Smith, Johnny Bench and Brooks Robinson. St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is a four-time Gold Glove winner.
Officials from St. Louis-based Rawlings and Chicago-based Wilson did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Rawlings is a more than $300 million subsidiary of Jarden Corp. (NYSE: JAH).
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