In re S. C. Herbst Importing Co.
In re S. C. Herbst Importing Co.
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court:
This is an appeal from the decision of the Commissioner of Patents refusing to register the words “Chancellor Club” as a trademark for cocktails, the decision being based upon the conclusion that the words “ ‘as a mark for cocktails’ would be confused in the mind of the purchasing public with the prior registered mark ‘Club Cocktails’ for the same goods.”
Sec. 2 of the trademark act (33 Stat. at L. 724, chap. 592, U. S. Comp. Stat. Supp. 1907, p. 1008) ordains that every
Heublein v. Adams, 125 Fed. 782, sustains the view taken by the Commissioner. That was a bill for infringement and to restrain unfair competition in trade. The petitioners had adopted and used the trademark “Club Cocktails” prior to the adoption and use by the defendants of the words “Boston Club Cocktails.” Judge Colt, in a well-considered opinion, ruled that “the defendants should be restrained from the use of the word ‘Club’ as a distinguishing mark for their cocktails, upon the ground of unfair competition- in trade.” The court said: “The complainants have built up an extensive trade in ‘Club Cocktails,’ not only in this country, but in most of the foreign markets of the world. * * * Their use of this trade name since its adoption in 1892 has been continuous, uniform, and notorious. * * * The complainants’ goods have received a universal trade recognition, and, in a broad commercial sense, have completely occupied the market. ‘Club cocktails’ mean in the trade only the cocktails made by the complainants. "* * * While the form and color and appearance of defend
If the words “Boston Club Cocktails” misled or deceived the public because of the prior use of the words “Club Cocktails” by another firm, we think it follows that the use of the mark “Chancellor Club Cocktails” would be likely to result in similar confusion, and that, therefore, they should not be registered.
The decision of the Commissioner of Patents was right, and is therefore affirmed. The clerk of the court will certify this opinion and the proceedings in this court to the Commissioner of Patents in accordance with law.
'Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- IN RE S. C. HERBST IMPORTING COMPANY
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Trademarks; Abuse oe Discretion. There is no abuse of discretion on the part of the Commissioner of Patents in refusing to register the words “Chancellor Club” as a trademark for cocktails, upon the ground that the words would be confused in the mind of the purchasing public with the prior registered mark “Cluh Cocktails” for the same class of goods.