| Type | Subsidiary of the United States Polo Association |
|---|---|
| Industry | Licensing Retail |
| Founded | United States 1981 |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Apparel Accessories Eyewear Footwear Housewares Luggage Watches |
| Divisions | THRE3 |
| Website | USPoloAssn.com |
The U.S. Polo Assn. brand, incorporated in 1981, is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the governing body of the sport of polo since 1890. The Association's trademarks and logos worldwide are managed by USPA Properties, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the USPA.
USPA Properties, Inc. partners with licensees in the United States, Canada, Mexico,[1] the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, Europe,[2] Scandinavia, Russia, and the Middle East[3] to provide consumers with branded apparel, accessories, luggage, watches, shoes and home furnishings. Products are available in more than 100 countries at independent retail stores, department stores and U.S. Polo Assn. brand stores.[4]
Profits generated by USPA Properties, Inc. through the sale of U.S. Polo Assn. brand products directly support the USPA and its various programs. Since incorporation in 1981, U.S. Polo Assn. has realized total global retail sales in excess of $1 billion. These revenues provide benefits for the Association's player members, support training centers for interscholastic and intercollegiate polo competition [5] and fund programs in umpiring, competition and equine welfare.
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In May 2011, fashion label Ralph Lauren won a case against the USPA over the right to use the polo-player logo. A New York court ruled that the USPA cannot use its double-horseman motif to brand its line of fragrance due to infringement on the Ralph Lauren fashion label.[6] It was determined the USPA’s use of the Double Horseman Mark created a high likelihood of confusion with Ralph Lauren’s products in the context of fragrances.
Spencer, Herbert. "Hot Property". Hurlingham Polo Association Magazine, Summer 2008, p. 41.
Vagnozzi, Caternia. "U.S. Polo Assn.: vertire il polo". Chukker - The Magazine of Audi Polo Gold Cup Circuit 2011, February 21, 2011, p. 30.