An Open Letter from David Whitlam, Gauge Design USA

http://www.gaugedesigns.com/gdgtruth.html

December 5th, 2005
Gauge Design Golf vs. World Brands
Let the Truth be Known - An Open Letter from David Whitlam

I have been getting a few more calls lately regarding the past dealings
with my ex-distributor in Japan, and I want to set the record straight.

Gauge Design Golf was founded by me, David Whitlam, in 1999. From the
beginning, all of my putters have been 100% Made in the USA. I enlisted
the help of an old business partner and friend, Yoji Takei of World
Brands Inc. in Japan, to distribute the line. Things were going well
and we were one of the hottest new lines in Japan. Finally, in the fall
of 2001, I got enough funds together to register the trademarks in
Japan, since that was my main market. I searched the marks and they
came back already registered. It ended up they were registered to World
Brands and Mr. Takei. So, I confronted Takei and asked him what he was
thinking. His reply was that I can buy back the trademarks, but it was
going to cost me $200,000 US. Well, let me mention that in 2001 it did
not cost $200,000 to register two trademarks in Japan. In February
2002, I went to the JPGA show in Tokyo and noticed that Mr. Takei had
knocked off a couple of my putters. I immediately asked him what he was
doing and he replied that he needed to make some extra money so he
could pay for the one tour player (Shingo Katayama) that we had signed.

At this point, I knew I was in trouble. Not only was I subsidizing
Takei so he could make my brand successful, now I could not pursue a
legal challenge because I just did not have the funds to file suit. In
trademark law, the trademark goes to the first to register, and he had.
Not only did Takei steal my trademarks, he was now violating my patent
pending status in Japan. This is all from the guy who thought enough me
and respected me enough to be his best man at his wedding and called me
brother.

So whenever someone asks, I let them know that I am simply not too fond
of this person. He has promised the world to so many employees,
friends, and business partners, that he cannot keep his stories
straight. One of my former collegues, Iwao Onoue of Create Products in
Japan, says Takei is "Sub-Human". Takei was stealing from him when we
were distributing Odyssey. Takei was taking money here in the US, then
having Onoue pay him in Japan, all while he was grey marketing into
Japan and hurting the market. The sad thing is greed will get him
sooner or later.

There has also been a lot of nonsense posted on websites that try to
compare "Gauge Japan" product to mine stating that mill marks are bad
and that they mill a finer product. This is simple nonsense! You need
mill marks on the face to aid in ball spin. My product is high quality,
and I use quality material and milling techniques that Takei will never
be able to replicate in China. I have held and putt with the product
they make: it is cheap, poorly milled, and poorly finished. How is it
selling in Japan then, you might ask? Their image was already built off
of my quality workmanship. Proof is in the product. Let me assure you,
if China could make a better putter, then Cameron, Bettinardi, and I,
would all make our putters in China. So, if you want great product made
in the USA, then call me.

Any Gauge Japan products being sold or advertised in the US market are
in violation of our US trademarks and patents. We would appreciate a
call or e-mail notifying us of any potentially unauthorized sales.

Thank you for supporting products Made in America, by Americans.

Wonder whether any of you have heard about this issue? Gauge Design
Japan is popular in Asia, thought it would be good to hear some of your
thoughts.

http://www.golfdiscussions.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=6360.html

Hi Guys!
Don't know that I can get DW on here in person (he's a pretty busy
guy), but you've got the next best thing. Some of you might already
know me since I've been on a few "other" golf boards. I work for DW,
and have for over 4 years (yes, before they parted ways). I'll gladly
answer any questions as best I can, and if I don't have an answer then
I'll ask Dave.

For those who asked a few questions... DW was only making putters at
the time he cut ties with Mr. Takei. Any other clubs made by Gauge
Japan have nothing to with DW, and could very well be good product.
His statement regarding quality was pertaining to their putters. What
Takei took (or "ripped off") from DW was the Gauge Design name, logos,
slogan, etc., as well as all the putter designs and model names that DW
had created up to that point.

Takei registered the Gauge Design name and logos, etc. over in Japan
(like Dave stated), and has threatened to sue anyone selling our
product over there, which is why we now have a Whitlam Golf line
(primarily for the Japanese market)... same great putters, different
name and logos. Conversely, Dave owns the Gauge Design name and logos
in the US, which means that Gauge Japan (or anyone else) is
unauthorized to sell their putters or anything else with our name
and/or logos in the US market.

Hope that makes sense. If you have any questions, feel free to post
them or e-mail me. I'll try to remember to check in periodically.

Happy Golfing!
Sylvia
Gauge Design
syl...@gaugedesigns.com