Evnroll Putters vs. Karsten: Golf Putter Patent Dispute Stays Pending USPTO Reissue Review
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📋 Case Summary
| Case Name | Evnroll Putters, LLC v. Karsten Manufacturing Corporation |
| Case Number | 2:19-cv-04908 (D. Ariz.) |
| Court | U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona |
| Duration | Aug 2019 – Jan 2026 6 years 5 months |
| Outcome | Administratively Closed Pending USPTO Reissue |
| Patents at Issue | |
| Accused Products | PING® Vault Putter and PING® Cadence TR Putter |
Case Overview
The Parties
⚖️ Plaintiff
A specialty golf equipment manufacturer known for its precision-engineered putter designs and proprietary groove technology.
🛡️ Defendant
The parent company behind the globally recognized PING® brand, a major manufacturer of golf equipment with a substantial IP portfolio.
The Patent at Issue
This case centers on U.S. Patent No. 9,943,735 B2, covering specialized putter technology allegedly embodied in Karsten’s products. This innovation is critical for differentiating premium putters in a market driven by performance claims.
- • US 9,943,735 B2 — Golf putter face design and ball-striking mechanics
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The Verdict & Legal Analysis
Outcome: Administrative Closure, Not Resolution
Judge Rayes’s January 30, 2026 order does not resolve the merits of infringement. No damages were awarded, no injunction was issued, and no validity determination was made. The case was closed procedurally — preserving the court’s docket — but remains substantively open pending USPTO action.
The Reissue Strategy: Karsten’s Central Defense Move
The pivotal strategic event in this case was Karsten’s decision to file **Reissue applications** with the USPTO shortly after litigation commenced. By initiating reissue proceedings, Karsten created a credible basis to request a district court stay, arguing that USPTO findings on claim scope would be directly dispositive of the litigation’s outcome.
Freedom to Operate (FTO) Analysis
This case highlights critical IP risks in golf putter design. Choose your next step:
📋 Understand This Case’s Impact
Learn about the specific risks and implications from this litigation.
- View all related patents in this technology space
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High Risk Area
Putter face design, groove geometry
Related Patents
In golf putter design space
Design-Around Options
Available for most claims
✅ Key Takeaways
Reissue applications remain a potent, underutilized tool for defendants seeking claim-scope challenges without IPR estoppel consequences.
Search related case law →Administrative closures are procedurally distinct from dismissals — the merits survive closure and can be reopened.
Explore precedents →Frequently Asked Questions
U.S. Patent No. 9,943,735 B2 (Application No. US14/333497), covering golf putter face technology related to ball-striking mechanics and roll consistency.
Karsten Manufacturing filed Reissue applications with the USPTO, prompting the court to stay proceedings on October 6, 2020, pending the USPTO’s resolution of those applications — a stay the court maintained through administrative closure in January 2026.
Administrative closure is a procedural tool, not a final judgment. The case can be reopened upon notification from either party that they are ready to proceed, preserving all claims and defenses.
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References
- USPTO Patent Center — U.S. Patent No. 9,943,735
- PACER — Case No. 2:19-cv-04908 (D. Ariz.)
- USPTO Reissue Application Process Overview
- PatSnap — IP Intelligence Solutions for Law Firms
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. All case information is drawn from publicly available court records. For platform capabilities, visit PatSnap.