Christensen Shipyards have been ordered to cease using Tiger Woods’ name and photograph in connection with their luxury yachts. The ruling, handed down by U.S. District Judge William Zloch, upholds the original terms of sale.
The suit claims $75,000 in initial damages. The lawsuit claims that Woods’ star status could bring damages to a mind boggling $50 million according to the terms of the lawsuit. Christensen Shipyards stood to gain financially using Woods’ name and chose to use Woods as advertising leverage against the explicit language of the contract.
Unfortunately for Woods, his yacht, called “Privacy,” hasn’t provided the sanctuary he had hoped for. The Sand Trap reported Woods’ lawsuit after the story broke in November 2004.
Why Christensen Shipyards decided that breaching their contract was worth the risk of a lawsuit is anyone’s guess. The potential damages are probably enough to make Christensen Shipyards think about pulling that a second time. Maybe they’re just chalking the $50 million up as advertising money well spent.