Opinion ID: 15871
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Defendant

Text: In 1992, Tour 18 opened its golf course in Humble, Texas. The course consists of a collection of replica golf holes from sixteen famous golf courses. The first hole is a replica of the eighteenth hole of Harbour Town Golf Links including a smaller scale, nonfunctioning replica lighthouse. The third hole is a replica of the third hole of the Pinehurst No. 2 course, and the thirteenth hole is a replica of the fourteenth hole of Pebble Beach Golf Links. The Flower Mound, Texas Tour 18 course has a replica of the Harbour Town eighteenth hole including lighthouse as its seventh hole. These replica golf holes were created using topographic maps procured from third parties and videotapes of the golf holes. Tour 18 markets itself as “America’s Greatest 18 Holes.” It places advertisements in regional and national publications. In 7 advertisements and promotional materials, Tour 18 identifies the golf holes that it has copied by using the trademarks of the original courses and refers to the golf holes by common nicknames like the “Lighthouse Hole,” the “Blue Monster,” and “Amen Corner.” It uses the Plaintiffs’ marks, “Pebble Beach,” “Pinehurst,” “Harbour Town,” and depictions of the lighthouse, extensively in its advertisements and promotional materials. These materials regularly include pictures of Tour 18’s replica lighthouse. The Tour 18 scorecard includes the Plaintiffs’ marks to identify the replica golf holes. For example, “Pebble Beach 14” is printed next to the number 13. A picture of the replica lighthouse appears on the back of the scorecard. Tour 18’s yardage guide has a picture of its replica lighthouse on the cover and contains descriptions of the golf holes and the history of each copied golf hole. Signage at each hole indicates the golf hole that has been copied and describes the original hole. The sign at the Harbour Town replica refers to it as “The Lighthouse Hole.” Additionally, Tour 18 uses the Plaintiffs’ marks on its menu at its restaurant, offering “The Harbour Town” hamburger, “The Pinehurst” tuna salad, and “Pebble Beach” French toast. Tour 18 includes disclaimers on the course and in some advertisements and promotional material. On its scorecard and in its yardage guide, Tour 18 includes the following disclaimer: “The design of this course was inspired by great holes from 16 8 different golf courses. None of the courses endorse, sponsor, or are affiliated with Tour 18.” The same disclaimer is on a sign at the first tee. Additional similar disclaimers are on signs at each golf hole stating, for example, “The design of this hole was inspired by the famous 14th Hole at Pebble Beach. Tour 18 is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by Pebble Beach.” A promotional brochure with pictures of the replica golf holes contains the Plaintiffs’ marks on the pictures of each replica golf hole and a notice below the last photo stating: “Actual Photographs taken at TOUR 18-Houston.” However, several advertisements and promotional materials do not contain any disclaimers. For example, an issue of Metro Houston Golfer has a picture of the replica lighthouse on its cover and a detailed Tour 18 advertisement inside, but includes no disclaimer in the magazine. Also, a Tour 18 mailer which includes a large drawing of the replica lighthouse with the phrase “Harbour Town Golf Links-the Lighthouse Hole” without any disclaimer. Tour 18 charges green fees of $55 during the week and $75 on weekends. While not as expensive as the green fees at the Plaintiffs’ courses, these green fees are higher than the average green fees at comparable daily-fee courses in the Houston area.