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U.S. Polo Association Comments on Decision to Compel Arbitration of Polo Ralph Lauren Claims
[March 31, 2015]

U.S. Polo Association Comments on Decision to Compel Arbitration of Polo Ralph Lauren Claims


The United States Polo Association, Inc. ("USPA"), the governing body of the sport of polo in the United States since 1890, and USPA Properties, Inc., today issued the following statement regarding the decision yesterday by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York ("SDNY") denying the attempt by Polo Ralph Lauren ("PRL") (NYSE: RL) to avoid arbitrating certain trademark claims brought against the USPA.

W. David Cummings, President and Chief Executive Officer of USPA Properties, Inc., said, "Twice now in just seven months, two federal judges have rejected PRL's attempts to avoid its commitment to arbitrate disputes under the settlement agreement in which PRL conceded the validity of USPA's double horseman trademark over a decade ago. We are confident that the arbitration will uphold USPA's right to use the double horseman mark on store signage, which we have been doing since 2007. The Arvind claims related to a minor compliance issue under the settlement agreement, which was remedied in 2013, and shows the lengths to which PRL will go in their relentless campign to prevent the lawful marketing of merchandise by the USPA."



The latest decision relates to trademark litigation that has been underway since 1984 between the USPA and PRL - and the use of certain names, logos and trademarks in connection with the USPA's production and marketing of merchandise. In 2003, the USPA and PRL and its subsidiaries executed a settlement agreement that defined the terms under which the USPA has the right to market its products. In granting portions of the USPA's motion to compel arbitration, the SDNY upheld the terms of the settlement agreement - in which PRL conceded the legitimacy of the USPA's Double Horseman trademarks and agreed that any disputes concerning the use of those trademarks should be resolved in arbitration.

About the United States Polo Association ®


Founded in 1890, the United States Polo Association (USPA) is the national governing body for the sport of polo in North America and is one of the oldest sport governing bodies in the United States. With over 270 member clubs and 40 national tournaments, the USPA governs polo handicaps, tournament rules and safety regulations, to ensure the welfare and being of both horse and player. Funded by sales from the officially licensed consumer brand, U.S. Polo Assn., the USPA purposefully re-invests revenue by underwriting numerous development programs to expand and sustain the sport of polo. For more information please visit www.uspolo.org and uspoloassnglobal.com.


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