Golf legend Jack Nicklaus can’t get his name and likeness back in court battleBy Miles Schachner
August 9, 2023
Jack Nicklaus was tough to beat on the course. In court, though, has proven a different challenge.
A Florida district court judge ruled Aug. 1 that Nicklaus’ former partner, Howard Milstein, would retain the rights to Nicklaus’ name and likeness, according to Sports Illustrated.
The judge, Robin Rosenberg, ruled that due to a previous decision against Nicklaus, 83, in the New York County Supreme Court on the exact same property — Nicklaus’ name and likeness — he lacked any ability to cede control of the property to Nicklaus, according to the report.
Nicklaus v. Milstein was initially brought to court in a Palm Beach County Circuit Court case in April but was moved to the federal level at Milstein’s request.
“[This] doesn’t change anything,” Eugene E. Stearns, Jack Nicklaus’s lead attorney said, according to Sports Illustrated. “We will just be back in Florida State court where it started.”
The two parties disagree on the question of exclusivity.
While Nicklaus claims he sold a non-exclusive right to his name and likeness, Milstein argues it was an exclusive right, which he paid $145 million for in 1994.
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Source:
https://nypost.com/2023/08/09/golf-legend-jack-nicklaus-cant-get-his-name-and-likeness-back/
