Bluthenthal v. Mohlmann

Supreme Court of Florida
Bluthenthal v. Mohlmann, 49 Fla. 275 (Fla. 1905)
Carter, Cockrell, Hooker, Shackleford, Taylor, Whitfield

Bluthenthal v. Mohlmann

Opinion of the Court

Hooker, J.

(After starting the facts.)

We are of opinion that the allegations of the bill show that the appellants have rights in the exclusive use of the trade mark of their brand of whiskey cálled “Old Joe,” described in the bill, and we are unable to say,' in the face of the admission by the demurrer of those allegations, that a bare inspection of the exhibits affords sufficient proof to do away with the effect of those admitted allegations. The bill, among other things, alleges that complainants had established a right to use the devices upon the bottles containing the “Old Joe” whiskey as a trade mark, that the brand of the defendant resembled that of complainants in size of package, shape, color and appearance; and that the defendant is actually selling his brand of “Old Geo. Whiskey” as and for the whiskey of complainants, and that these acts of defendant constitute an unfair and fraudulent competition in business. These allegations are admitted by the demurrer. If it be true, as thus admitted, that there is such a resemblance as to enable the defendant to actually spll his brand of whiskey for that of complainants, we do not think it can be said the .bill is without equity. El Modello Cigar Man. Co. v. *280Gato, 25 Fla. 886, 7 South. Rep. 23; 28 Am. & Eng. Ency. Law (2nd ed.) 416; Leidersdorf v. Flint, 50 Wis. 400, 7 N. W. Rep. 252; American Trademark Cases (Price & Steuart) 176, 431. We think the court erred in sustaining the demurrer and dismissing the bill. In regard to the order refusing a temporary injunction we can not say that the chancellor erred. There, was a great conflict in the affidavits of the respective parties, and it does not clearly appear that the chancellor’s ruling refusing a temporary injunction was against the weight of the evidence. Baya v. Town of Lake City, 44 Fla. 491, 33 South. Rep. 400. The order sustaining the demurrer and the decree dismissing the bill are reversed, and the cause remanded for further proceedings.

Taylor and Cockrell, JJ., concur. Whitfield, C. J., and Carter and Shackleford, JJ., concur in the opinion.

Reference

Full Case Name
Aaron Bluthenthal and Monroe L. Bickart, Partners Doing Business Under the Firm Name and style of Bluthenthal and Bickart v. Theodore Mohlmann
Cited By
3 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
1. When a bill alleges such facts as show that the complainants have rights in the use of a trade mark whicn is described in the bill, and that the defendant is using a trade mark resembling that of complainants in size of package, shape, color and appearance, and is actually selling his article as and for that of complainants, and a denrarre to the bill is filed which of course admits such allegations, a bare inspection of the exhibits attached to the bill not necessarily doing away with the effect of the admitted allegations, it is erroneous upon a hearing of the demurrer to sustain the same and dismiss the bill. 2. Where it does new clearly appear that a chancellor’s ruling, refusing a temporary injunction was against the weight of the evidence, such ruling can not he held to be erroneous.