Caswell v. . Hazard

24 N.E. 707, 121 N.Y. 484, 31 N.Y. St. Rep. 576, 76 Sickels 484, 1890 N.Y. LEXIS 1435

• Court: New York Court of Appeals
• Decided: June 3, 1890
• Status: Published

Opinion

Ruger, Ch. J.

We think the case of Haza/rd v. OasweÜ, (93 FT. Y. 259) is a controlling authority on this appeal upon the question of the respective rights of the plaintiff Caswell and the defendant Eowland FT. Hazard in the use of the name of “Caswell” as a trade-mark, in a business carried on by either of them. It was there held, upon the dissolution of a firm, having established trade-marks and a good will, which had not been disposed of or transferred upon such dissolution, that such assets remained the property of the individual members and could lawfully be employed thereafter by either of such members in the prosecution of his business. It was further determined that the dissolution of the partnership of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.” in 1876, and the transfers and agreements then made between the partners, did not dispose of the 'trade-marks of the firm, and that John B. Caswell and Bow-land H. Hazard, each possessed the right thereafter to use and employ those formerly belonging to the firm, as he desired to do, without infringing upon the rights of the other. We are entirely satisfied with the correctness of that decision and feel no disposition to impair its force as an authority upon the questions then decided. Although I did not concur in that decision my dissent did not proceed upon any doubt as to the soundness of the principle above stated. We think the facts in this case bring it directly within the operation of the rule there laid down. Both the plaintiff John B. Caswell and the defendant Bowland NT. Hazard, were on July 31, 1876, and for ten years previously thereto had been members of the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co., carrying on the business of manufacturing and selling in Hewport and Hew York, drugs, etc., and during that time, as such firm, used and enjoyed all the privileges which are now claimed by the respective parties to this action. It would seem, therefore, to follow, as a matter of course, that either of the members of such firm could, after its dissolution, lawfully use its trade-marks in any business thereafter carried on by him.

A brief history of the organization of that firm and its mode of' prosecuting business, exhibits the relation these parties respectively bore to the trade-marks of the firm at the time this suit was commenced. Previous to the-year 1867, the several, names of Caswell and Hazard had been prominent in the trade of manufacturing and selling drugs and medicines and other articles connected with such trade, in the cities of Hewport, Bhode Island, and Hew York. The business originally started at Hewport as early as 1821, and was there carried on until some time previous to 1867, when a branch was opened in the city of Hew York. The names of Caswell and Hazard had subsequent to the year 1821, been continuously used in such trade, either in conjunction or separately; but always in some firm regularly succeeding a prior firm. It is of but little importance what position either of these parties bore to such business previous to 1867, as in that year' all their rights were merged in a new firm tnen organized. In that year the name of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.,” was first used and that firm regularly succeeded to all of the rights, interests and reputation which those names, or either of them, had previously acquired in the public estimation, Doth in the cities of Hewport and Hew York. This firm consisted of Pliilip Caswell, Jr., Rowland H. Hazard, the defendant, and John R. Caswell, one of the plaintiffs herein. Philip Caswell,. Jr., owned fourteen-thirtieths, Rowland H. Hazard, nine-thirtieths, and John R. Caswell, seven-thirtieths of the firm assets. Philip Caswell, Jr. retired from this firm in 1872, transferring, with the consent of John R. Caswell, all his interest and good-will in such firm to Rowland H. Hazard, and covenanting that he would not within twenty years go into the business of druggist or apothecary in either of the cities of Hewport or Hew York. He also took a covenant from Hazard, indemnifying and protecting him from all loss or liability from existing debts or the future liabilities of the succeeding firm. This purchase gave Hazard a largely preponderating interest in the assets of the firm. A new firm was then formed, composed of Rowland H. Hazard, John R. Caswell and John C. Hazard, to continue the business of Caswell, Hazard & Co., at the former places of business of that firm. In the new firm Rowland H. Hazard retained an interest of sixteen-thirtieths, John R. Caswell seven-thirtieths, and John C. Hazard acquired an interest of seven-thirtieths. The new firm took the necessary proceedings .and published the advertisements required to entitle them to continue business under the firm name of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.,” according to the provisions of chapter 400 of the Laws of 1854. This firm continued business until July 31, 1876, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, and John R. Caswell sold and transferred to its remaining members his interest in the property of the firm, except its trade marks, and a part of the retail stock in trade, which was proportionately divided between the partners. Among the articles thus transferred was the real estate at Newport in which the business of the firm had theretofore been carried on at that place; the fixtures in the various stores occupied by them in New York, and all signs, labels, bottles and bottle-moulds theretofore used in the business. These goods had the firm name of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.” either painted or printed upon them or blown into the bottles thus transferred. The defendants also assumed the unexpired leases of the various places of business in New York, where the business had been previously conducted, and agreed to collect and settle the outstanding accounts and debts of the old firm and purchased of Caswell the prescription books theretofore used in the firm and became the legitimate successors to such firm. The plaintiffs, for several years after the sale, bought goods, received payments from and did business with the new firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co. under that name. The defendants, upon the retirement of John E. Caswell and the formation of this new firm, took the necessary steps to enable them to continue business under the firm name of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.” as the successors of the former firm of that name, according to the provisions of chapter 400 of the laws of 1854, and from that time until 1886 continued and carried on their- business at all the former places of business occupied by Caswell, Hazard & Co. without interruption or disturbance from anyone. John E. Caswell afterwards formed a partnership with one Massey, under the firm name of Caswell & Massey, and in November, 1876, opened a drug store in New York, near one of the defendants’ stores, and continued thereafter to prosecute such business under such firm name or others similar thereto. At the expiration of nearly ten years from his withdrawal from the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co., John E. Caswell, in behalf of his firm, began this suit, claiming the exclusive right to use the name of “ Caswell ” in connection with the conduct of the business of manufacturing and selling drugs, etc., in the city of New York and elsewhere, and asking that the defendants be perpetually enjoined from using such name in any way in the prosecution of such business. The court, at Special Term, gave judgment awarding the plaintiffs an injunction to the full extent claimed against the defendants, and this judgment, on appeal to the General Term, was reversed both upon questions of law and of fact and a new trial was ordered. The plaintiffs appealed from such order to tins court upon a stipulation for judgment absolute in case such order should be affirmed.

On such an appeal, if the record presents any error, either of law or of fact, made by the trial court which called for a reversal of its judgment, the order of the General Term must necessarily be affirmed by this court. The extreme danger which parties, having a cause of action and having recovered a judgment therefor, incur by appealing from an order granting a new trial to this court has been too frequently pointed out in its decisions to need further remark, and it would seem that no amount of admonition is sufficient to discourage parties from taking such appeals. (Cobb v. Hatfield, 46 N. Y. 533.)

A single consideration, pointed out in the opinion of the court at General Term, serves to show that the reversal in this case was properly” ordered, if for no other reason than because the judgment rendered by the trial court absolutely prohibited the defendants from making any use of the signs, labels, bottles and bottle-moulds bearing the name of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.,” sold to them by John It. Caswell. This property was sold expressly for use in the business intended to be carried on by the defendants, and obviously exceeded any legal claim which the plaintiffs could lawfully maintain.

The claim made by the plaintiffs in this action is sought to be sustained under an alleged right existing in favor of John It. Caswell to the exclusive use of the trade-marks, including the use of the name of Caswell, formerly employed by the firm of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.” in their business.

In discussing the case it is, therefore, necessary to refer only to the rights secured by John It. Caswell and Rowland H. Hazard, respectively, as members of the firm -of Caswell, Hazard & Co., as it is through such interests that both the plaintiffs and defendants now claim to derive their respective rights.

Much stress was laid on the argument by the defendants upon the rights acquired by Howland H. Hazard through the purchase made in 1872 from Philip Caswell, Jr., of his interest and good will in the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co. We do not think a consideration of the effect of that purchase is very important in this case, as it cannot be claimed that Hazard thereby acquired any right in the assets or good will of such firm, which then or afterwards belonged to John E. Caswell. He could have acquired an exclusive right to the use of such property only by virtue of a transfer to him by all of the parties interested therein, and so long as an outstanding right in such property existed in favor of anyone, he could not maintain an ■exclusive claim thereto.

It-also seems unnecessary to consider the prior rights, interests and- reputation of the individual members of such firms, as upon the organization of that firm they became merged therein, and by its continued use and enjoyment became its property and, upon dissolution, belonged in common to its respective members, according to their respective interests in such firm. The trial court found that the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co., during its existence from 1871 to 1876, transacted a very extensive business in Hew York city and Hew-port and throughout the Hnited States, and also in Europe, as ■chemists, apothecaries, druggists, manufacturers of and dealers, both at wholesale and retail, in drugs and medicines, and, as •owners, proprietors and manufacturers of many proprietary medicinary remedies, toilet articles, preparations and compounds. This finding seems to be entirely in accordance -with the proof in the case and is of controlling force in the determination of the rights of the respective partners.in the trademarks and assets of that firm.

These facts seem to present two questions for- determina-' tion in the case: First, whether John E. Caswell, upon retiring from the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co. in 1876, sue, ceeded to the exclusive right of using the name of “ Caswell ” as a firm name in connection with the prosecution of the business of thereafter manufacturing and selling drugs, medicines, etc., in the cities of Hew York and Hewport. Second, whether he then succeeded to the exclusive right of using the name of “ Caswell,” either alone or in connection with others, as a trade-mark in carrying on such business. It is essential that the plaintiffs should successfully maintain the affirmative of both of these propositions in order to sustain this appeal; for if the defendants had any right to use tire name of “ Caswell,” either as a firm name or as a trade-mark, it is obvious that the judgment rendered by the trial court was erroneous to a certain extent, and was properly reversed by the General Term. It seems to us quite clear that the plaintiffs have failed to maintain either of these claims. The right which every person has to use his own name in the prosecution of his business cannot be disputed, and this right can be limited or controlled only when such name has become the trade-mark or business sign of another, and is being used to. deceive the public or defraud the person who made it valuable. (Devlin v. Devlin, 69 N. Y. 212; Meneely v. Meneely, 62 id. 432.) Conceding, therefore, the right of John E. Caswell to use his own name and the trade-marks of the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co. in his business, it falls far short of securing to him the right to the exclusive use of the name of Caswell which had been largely made valuable in trade by the capital, skill and enterprise of others. From 1867 to 1872 that name in the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co. mainly represented Philip Caswell, Jr., and the defendant Howland H. Hazard succeeded by assignment to all his rights in that firm. There is, therefore, no foundation for the claim of John B. Caswell, that he succeeded in any respect to the rights or reputation which Philip Caswell, Jr., acquired in the business of Caswell, Hazard & Co. Howland H. Hazard, by his purchase, acquired all such rights as could lawfully be enjoyed by any purchaser, and, in addition thereto, possessed the rights belonging to him self as a member of the various firms doing business under the firm name of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.” The right of Rowland U. Hazard to use the trade-marks and signs of Caswell, Hazard & Co. seems to rest as securely upon those which he acquired as a member of such firms, as upon the rights transferred to him by the several members of such firm. The right to a trade-mark is derived from its appropriation and continual user, and becomes the property of those who first employ it and give it a name and reputation. (Devlin, v. Devlin, 69 N. Y. 212; Colman v. Crump, 70 id. 578.) It becomes part of the assets of the firm by which it was used and established, and can be owned, transferred and sold like other species of property. Upon the dissolution of a firm which has acquired its proprietorship, it must be sold and its proceeds distributed like other firm assets, and, if not so disposed of, it remains the property of the individual members of the dissolved firm, and may lawfully thereafter be used by any or either of such members desiring to continue the prosecution of the business in which it has theretofore been used. (Huwer v. Dannenhoffer 82 N. Y. 500 ; Hazard v. Caswell, supra.)

Assuming, therefore, the correctness of the plaintiffs’ claim, that upon the dissolution of the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co. in 1876 there was no transfer by either party to the other of the right to use its trade-marks and firm name, yet the right thereafter to use its trade-marks then became vested in the individual members of such firm, and could be lawfully employed by either without trespassing upon the rights of the other. This proposition, as we have seen, was expressly held in the case of Hazard v. Caswell, between these same parties. That case depended substantially upon the state of facts existing in this case, and the present defendants then claimed the right to restrain the plaintiffs from using either the name of “ Caswell ” or the .trade-marks formerly used by the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co. in manufacturing and putting up a certain description of cologne. They claimed a right to the exclusive use of such name and trade-mark by reason of the various transfers of property made to them by Philip and John E. Caswell, and sought to restrain Caswell from the use of his own name. It was held that neither party secured an exclusive right to the use of such trade-marks by reason of such transfers, and that upon the dissolution in 18^6 of the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co., in the absence of any disposition of such property, either of the members of such firm had the right to make use of them in his separate business. That decision seems to be conclusive as to the main question here involved, and renders the question of the right to use the name of “ Caswell ” as a trade-mark in connection with the business .of manufacturing and selling drugs and medicines by either of the former partners res judicatoe as between such parties. (Huwer v. Dannenhoffer, 82 N. Y. 500.)

Even if tins were not so, it seems difficult to resist the conclusion that John E. Caswell, by the sale and transfer to Caswell, Hazard & Co. in 1876 of the property of the old firm bearing the name of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.,” indelibly printed or impressed thereon, for use in their business, knew and intended that such property at least should be thereafter used and sold by the vendees in their business as successors to the former firm. The fact that it could be so used was the. only apparent inducement for its purchase by the defendants, and this must have been known and understood by John E. Caswell, and he could not thereafter claim that, so far as that property was concerned, it was used without his permission.

We are also of the opinion that the present defendants have, as the legitimate successors to the former firms of “ Caswell, Hazard & Co.,” lawfully acquired the right to use that name as a firm name. At common law it was undoubtedly the right of such members of a dissolved firm having acquired an established reputation for the character and quality of the goods manufactured and sold by them, who desired to continue such business, to continue the former firm name and transact business thereunder, although none of such parties bore the names contained in the original firm. {L. C. Co. v. A. L. C. Co., 4 De G., J. & S. 143; 11 H. L. Cas. 534.)

Under the provisions of chapter 281 of the Laws of 1833, however, such right is now attainable in this state only by a compliance with the requirements of chapter 400 of the Laws of 1854. These acts do not assume to confer upon the members of a continuing firm any rights of property possessed by the members of the dissolved firm; but they do provide that, under certain conditions and upon taking certain proceedings, the members of a succeeding firm may continue business under the former firm name, although no person in such succeeding firm bears the name of any of the retiring members of the original firm.

Upon the retirement of Philip Caswell from the firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co. in 1872, as well as upon the withdrawal of John It. Caswell in 1876, the defendants or their predecessors took all of the necessary proceedings required under the statute of 1854, to entitle them to continue business under the firm name of Caswell, Hazard & Co., and they have continued such business, by virtue of such proceedings, under that firm name without interruption or molestation from 1872 to 1886, and we can see no reason why they did not thereby become lawfully entitled to use such name.

The publication of notices in 1872 could have had no other object than to invest Rowland U. Hazard with the right to the continued use of such firm name. There was no necessity for the firm formed in 1872 to resort to those proceedings to authorize them to use the name of “ Caswell” in their firm name, because it was then represented by one of the partners, and the only object of such proceedings seems to have been to perpetuate the name and reputation which the former firm had acquired for the benefit of the several members of the new firm. A similar object would seem to have instigated the subsequent publication in 1876, and the right to make such publication does not, under the statute, seem in any respect to depend upon the knowledge or assent thereto of the retiring members. The statute appears to confer the absolute right to perpetuate the firm name upon the persons succeeding to the business of a dissolved firm, provided they have business relations with foreign countries and desire to continue such business.

A possible question might arise as to the liability of a retiring member for the subsequent transactions of the succeeding firm, but there has been no such claim raised in this case, and after the lapse of ten years it would seem to be quite too late to present it if it ever existed. It is not now claimed that any such question is involved, but the action is sought to be suj> ported upon' the sole ground that no person bearing the name of Caswell is now represented in such firm. The objection to the use of the name Caswell ” is founded wholly upon the prohibitions contained in the act of 1833, and takes no account of the exception to such prohibition introduced by the act of 1854. Some difficulty in administering this act might arise in a case where there were conflicting claims between the several members of a dissolved firm as to the right to continue the use of the old firm name, but no such question arises here, as John It. Caswell was in no sense the successor of such firm, and never attempted to use their name or continue their business. He not only abandoned all claim to continue the use of the old firm name or succession to its good will so far as it was affected by the places of doing such business, but by his subsequent dealings with the defendants seemed to acquiesce in their appropriation of such name.

Some foundation for the plaintiffs’ claim is supposed to have been found in expressions used in the opinion of this court in the former case of Hazard v. Caswell. It is sufficient to say that the question was not there involved and could not have been decided. The sole question then presented was whether Howland ZEST. Hazard acquired the exclusive right to Use the name of “ Caswell,” in connection with others, as a, tradesman in the manufacture and sale of a certain description of cologne, and it was held that he had not, and that the right to such use rested equally in both Caswell and Hazard as members of such firm.

We are, for reasons stated, of the opinion that the plaintiffs failed to establish the causes of action set forth in their complaint, and that the order of the General Term should, therefore, be affirmed, and judgment absolute ordered for defendants, with costs in all courts.

All concur.

Order affirmed and judgment accordingly.