In re New South Brewery & Ice Co.
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the-Court:
This is an appeal from the denial of the registration of a trademark. The application when filed was accompanied by a label which had been used on bottles or packages of beer. It
The application having been finally denied by the Examiner, -appeal was taken to the Commissioner, who affirmed the decision of the Examiner. The denial was on the ground that the word “Crystal” is descriptive of a characteristic or quality of the goods upon which it is used. It is shown by reference to the Century Dictionary, and certain others therein quoted, that the word “crystal” is frequently, if not commonly, used as clear, transparent, pellucid. The expression “clear as crystal” is frequently applied to liquids by persons who probably have mo idea of the primary or technical meaning of the word. As applied to beer the word would import that it is clear, transparent; that is, light, clear beer as distinguished from other beers that are dark or black. That it was intended by the applicant to represent this quality is apparent from the figure on •the label, of the woman holding up a glass of the beverage and ■examining it in the rays of the sun.
We think that the Commissioner was right in holding it descriptive within the meaning of the statute. See Re American Circular Loom Co. 28 App. D. C. 450; Re National Phonograph Co. 29 App. D. C. 142; Worster Brewing Corp. v. Reuter & Co. 30 App. D. C. 428; Winchester Repeating Arms Co. v. Peters Cartridge Co. 30 App. D. C. 505; Kentucky Distilleries & Warehouse Co. v. Old Lexington Club Distilling Co. 31 App. D. C. 223.
The decision must be affirmed. It is so ordered, and that the clerk certify this decision to the Commissioner of Patents ms required by law. Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.