First Congressional District Democratic Party Organization v. First Congressional District Democratic Organization, Inc.

177 N.W.2d 224, 22 Mich. App. 386, 1970 Mich. App. LEXIS 1991

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: February 27, 1970
• Docket: Docket 7,860
• Status: Published

Opinion

R. B. Burns, J.

Plaintiff, First Congressional District Democratic Party Organization, was created in .1964 as a statutory organization of the democratic party for the first congressional district of Michigan.

In' 1965 the defendant corporation incorporated ás a nonprofit corporation as the First Congressional District Democratic Organization, Incorporated.

Plaintiffs filed suit in the circuit court to restrain the defendant, corporation and its president, Frank R. Owens, from using a name so similar -to the plaintiffs’ name.' The- trial court refused to grant the restraining order for two reasons:

“[N]othing anywhere in the statute * * * seems to give the party * * * the exclusive right to' the phrase ‘District Democratic Party' Organization’. * * * [T]here is nothing in the opinion of this court that creates any confusion between that name and the name of the defendant * * * .”

By statute and case law the names of incorporated and - unincorporated bodies have been protected. MOLA. § 450.6 (Stat Ann 1963 Rev § 21.6) states:

‘■‘No corporation shall assume any name which is likely t'o mislead the public, or any name already in use by any other existing corporation * * * or so nearly similar * * * as to lead to confusion # #. * »

Similar standards protect unincorporated bodies. Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias v. Improved Order Knights of Pythias (1897), 113 Mich 133; MCLA § 430.101 (Stat Ann 1957 Rev § 18.671).

In determining whether two names are so similar that.the probability of confusion exists, it is not necessary to show actual confusion. It is sufficient if confusion is probable or likely to occur. The confusion is such as would exist in minds of ordinary intelligence. Metal Craft Co. v. Metalcraft Heater Corporation (1931), 255 Mich 642.

An appellate court hears a chancery case de novo and gives due weight to. the findings of the. trial court, and does not reverse a trial court unless convinced that it would have reached a different conclusion had it occupied the position of the trial court. We are convinced that we would, have reached a different conclusion than the trial court had we been sitting in its place.

The names of the parties to this appeal are nearly identical; not only are the samé words used but they are set forth in the same order and arrangement. Therefore, the case is reversed and remanded to the circuit c'óurt'for the entry of an Order restraining the defendant corporation from using a name so similar to the plaintiff’s name. Costs to plaintiffs.

All concurred.