In re Nash Hardware Co.
In re Nash Hardware Co.
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court:
That the marks “Worth” and “Our Worth,” being appropriated to goods of the same descriptive qualities, would be likely to cause confusion in the mind of the public and to deceive purchasers, is too plain to admit of argument. Under sec. 1 of the trademark act it is made the duty of the Commissioner of Patents to decline to register a mark when such conditions exist. Having discovered, by a reference to the records of the Patent Office, evidence of the prior use of the mark “Worth” by another firm, the Commissioner, in the performance of his duty, brought that evidence to the attention of the applicant. The burden thereupon rested upon the applicant to convince the Commissioner, by the production of reasonable and satisfactory proof, either that the applicant was the first to adopt and use the mark, or that its use had been abandoned by B. Worth & Sons. We agree with the Commissioner that the evidence submitted is not sufficient to sustain the burden thus placed upon the applicant. The affidavit of Mr. Nash fails to state the extent of the investigation conducted by him, and the statement in the letter from the Sheffield house to the effect that the Supplees are the only handlers of B. Worth & Sons’ goods
The decision of the Commissioner of Patents is affirmed, and the clerk of this court will certify this opinion and the proceedings in this court to the Commissioner of Patents, as required by law. Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.