American Grinder Mfg. Co. v. Walden-Worcester, Inc.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
American Grinder Mfg. Co. v. Walden-Worcester, Inc., 285 F. 1007 (D.C. Cir. 1923)
52 App. D.C. 273; 1923 U.S. App. LEXIS 2660

American Grinder Mfg. Co. v. Walden-Worcester, Inc.

Opinion of the Court

ROBB, Associate Justice.

Appeal from concurrent decisions of the Patent Office tribunals canceling appellant’s registration of the word “Blackhawk” as a trade-mark for socket wrenches, on the ground of conflict between that mark and appellee’s mark “Tomahawk,” used on the same class of goods. “Blackhawk” was adopted in May of 4919.

As early as 1914 appellee adopted and since has extensively usfed the word “Tomahawk” as a trade-mark for socket wrenches. C. N. and F. W. Jonas acted as agents or distributors for appellee on the Pacific Coast from 1914 to 1918, and in the Middle West territory from 1916 to 1918, when, at the instance of appellee, the relationship was severed. Thereafter the Jonas brothers became identified with the appellant company, which commenced to manufacture and sell wrenches in competition with appellee. It was then that the trade-mark “Blade-hawk” was adopted.

We agree with the Patent Office that the marks are so sufficiently similar as to be likely to create confusion, and, as we have intimated in prior decisions, the circumstances indicate strongly a purpose and intent on the part of appellant to reap some benefit from the established trade of the appellee.

The dedsion is affirmed.

Affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name
AMERICAN GRINDER MFG. CO. v. WALDEN-WORCESTER, Inc.
Status
Published