Ferguson-McKinney Dry Goods Co. v. J. A. Scriven Co.
Opinion of the Court
This case is one similar to those of Rice-Stix Dry Goods Co., and Premium Mfg. Co. v. J. A. Scriven Co. (just decided) 165 Fed. 639. The questions as to the right of complainant to the exclusive use of the elastic buff-colored strip or insertion and trade-mark to the words “elastic seam,” were disposed of in those cases and govern as to those questions this case.
The only thing to be considered now is, does the evidence show these defendants to have been guilty of unfair trade? The evidence shows that prior to the year 1903 defendant used cartons and markings which were probably in simulation of complainant’s, but since that date the cartons and markings have been entirely dissimilar. In January, 1903, Messrs. Bakewell & Cornwall, counsel for complainant, wrote defendants, calling their attention to the fact that they were violating complainant’s rights in the use of the buff-colored strip, the words “elastic seam,” and simulating their markings. The president of defendant company immediately called upon Messrs. Bakewell & Cornwall, said they would discontinue those markings, and showed complainant the boxes and markings which they had arranged to use in the future, and since that date the boxes used by defendant, instead of being white, are of a dark color, the markings being entirely dissimilar and disclosing the true maker or manufacturer. Defendants' drawers are'stamped in red with the monogram “F. Me K.” and the words “Own Make.” Since January, 1903, complainant made no further objection to the markings and boxes of defendant. The only complaint made by complainant since that date was of the use of the buff-colored strip and the words “elastic seam,” or words of such import. All the advertisements of defendants offered in evidence plainly show that their drawers are not of complainant’s manufacture, except one advertisement of date November, 1900, one of March, 1901, and one of September, 1902. Since those dates all advertisements have clearly indicated the true maker and manufacturer.
April 3, 1905, a few days before this action was commenced, in re
The decree of the Circuit Court is therefore reversed, with directions to dismiss the bill.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting). I am unable to concur in the opinion and judgment in this case for the reasons stated in my dissenting opinion in Rice-Stix Dry Goods Company v. J. A. Scriven Company and Premium Manufacturing Company v. J. A. Scriven Company (which is handed down herewith) 165 Fed. 639.
Reference
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- FERGUSON-McKINNEY DRY GOODS CO. v. J. A. SCRIVEN CO.
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- Tiiade-Mabks and Tkade-Naíies (§ 814*) — Uneaib Competition — Grounds of Action. To eniilie a party to an injunction against unfair competition, it must appear that defendant at the time of filing the bill is doing, or threatening to do, that which constitutes, or will constitute, an invasion oí complainant’s rights; and where the defendant more than two years before the commencement of the suit on notice from complainant of its claim ceased the acts complained of, and thereafter committed no act of unfair competition, complainant is not entitled to either an injunction or an accounting. [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Trade-Marks and Trade-Names, Cent. Dig. § 91; Dee. Dig. § 81.* Unfair competition, see notes to Seheuer v. Muller, 20 C. C. A. 105; Dare v. Harper & Bros., 80 C. O. A. 376.] Sanborn, Circuit Judge, dissenting.