George G. Fox Co. v. Glynn

78 N.E. 89, 191 Mass. 344, 1906 Mass. LEXIS 1278

• Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Decided: April 3, 1906
• Status: Published

Opinion

Knowlton, C. J.

The plaintiff corporation is a wholesale baker, and it brings this bill against a retail baker and a firm of wholesale bakers, alleging unfair competition in trade by the defendants against the plaintiff, and infringements of the plaintiff’s registered trademark. The bill avers that the plaintiff originated a new kind of bread, in which milk and malt were combined, and that, in order to identify it before the public, it adopted distinctive features of shape, size, proportion and condition of surface, resulting in a distinctive visual appearance. For this novel bread the plaintiff coined and adopted the word “ Creamalt ” as a trade name, and registered it in the office of the secretary of the Commonwealth as a trademark. The plaintiff’s loaf bore the plaintiff’s trademark, printed in blue ink upon a label of a certain size and color. The alleged unfair competítion of the defendants consists in the manufacture and sale of a loaf of bread under the name “Crown Malt”, which is practically identical in its visual appearance with the plaintiff’s “ Creamalt ” loaf. The master found the above facts, and, among others, made further findings as follows : “ This6 Creamalt ’ bread was steam glazed; that is to say, the bread was baked in an oven into which live steam was injected during the process of baking, with the result that the upper surface of the bread to a slight depth was chemically affected, the starch therein being converted into dextrine, with the result that the surface became glazed and crackled in appearance. On each and every ‘ Creamalt ’ loaf there was affixed a small white label printed in blue ink and bearing the name6 Creamalt’, and the words 6 Made with milk and malt, George G. Fox Company, Charlestown ’; ... that prior to said date, to wit, January 1, 1904, there was no bread of any kind known as ‘ Creamalt ’; that there was no bread in this market advertised or known to the public to contain milk and malt; that there was no bread commercially suecessful containing milk and malt; . . . that there was no bread made having the distinctive visual appearance adopted by the complainant; that the peculiar shape of 1 Creamalt ’ bread is uneconomical from the standpoint of the consumer for the reason that it does not cut in uniform slices; . . . that the complainant extensively advertised its 6 Creamalt ’ bread by circulars, ... and that said bread quickly became popular; . . . that all ‘ Creamalt ’ bread made and sold by the complainant has the distinctive visual appearance shown in Exhibit B ; and that all such loaves were steam glazed and had ‘Creamalt’ labels affixed; that the ‘ Creamalt ’ branch of the business is the most valuable part of its business, and is of large value; . . . that the public and the trade call for the complainant’s bread either by the name ‘Creamalt’ or by asking for ‘the oval loaf’ and have learned to recognize the complainant’s ‘Creamalt’ bread as ‘Creamalt’ bread by its general visual appearance; . . . that about the first of October, 1904, the defendants McKenzie and Connor placed on the market, being practically the same market as that of the complainant, an oval loaf of white bread identical in size, shape, proportions and general visual appearance with the bread of the complainant, except that no label was affixed to the loaves, and except as to the glaze, which was a cornstarch wash slightly different in effect from the steam glaze, consequent upon the fact that it had no chemical action upon the surface of the bread and gave no crackle; that in December, 1904, McKenzie and Con-nor began to use a steam glaze on their bread; that in January, 1905, they adopted the name ‘Crown Malt’ for their bread; that beginning in May, 1905, and continuously since, they have affixed to each and every loaf of their ‘Crown Malt’ bread a small white label printed in blue ink, bearing the words ‘ Crown Malt made only by Sanderson Baking Company’ and a pictorial representation of a crown; . . . that at the time of placing their oval loaf on the market said McKenzie and Connor knew of the complainant’s distinctive loaf and made their 6 Crown Malt ’ oval loaf in imitation of the complainant’s ‘ Creamalt ’ loaf, and in response to a demand caused by the sale of the complainant’s ‘ Creamalt ’ loaf, and that the changes the defendants McKenzie and Connor have made since first placing their oval loaves on the market have tended to increase the similarity of their loaf to the loaf of the complainant; and I find from such gradual approximation, and from all the evidence in the case, that said defendants had a fraudulent intent to appropriate to themselves the benefit of the public demand for the complainant’s novel and visually distinctive loaf; . . . that the ‘ Crown Malt ’ oval loaf of the defendants McKenzie and Connor has been substituted and palmed off as and for the ‘ Creamalt ’ bread of the complainant by the defendant Glynn and other dealers to whom the defendants McKenzie and Connor sold their ‘ Crown Malt’ bread; . . . that the trade name and trademark ‘ Crown Malt ’ is so similar to the trade name and trademark 1 Creamalt’ in connection with a loaf of bread, as to be likely to create confusion, mislead the public and render easy substitution by dealers, and that the complainant’s trade name and trademark ‘ Creamalt ’ have been infringed by McKenzie and Connor’s use of the trade name and trademark ‘ Crown Malt ’; . . . that the 6 Creamalt ’ loaf of the complainant is novel and distinctive; that the demand of the public for this bread was created by the complainant, and that the shape, proportions and color have come to be principally, if not exclusively, relied upon by ordinary purchasers as the means of identifying the complainant’s 1 Creamalt ’ bread, and that the oval loaf put out by the defendants amounts to a representation to the consuming public that the defendants’ oval loaf is the complainant’s 6 Creamalt,’ loaf; . . . that the defendants McKenzie and Connor, having knowledge of the fact that their bread was and had been sold by the defendant Glynn and others as and for the bread of the complainant, continued to make and sell their oval loaf and stand upon their right; that there is no necessity for the defendants McKenzie and Connor to make their bread of the peculiar and distinctive appearance of the complainant’s ‘ Creamalt ’ bread apart from the desire to benefit by the demand created by the complainant for its ‘ Creamalt ’ bread, and said defendants can and do successfully make and sell their bread in another shape.”

These findings show that the plaintiff has a valuable good will in the business of manufacturing and selling this peculiar kind of bread. This good will is property, and is a valuable asset in the plaintiff’s business. For cases recognizing property in good will, see Cruttwell v. Lye, 17 Ves. 335; Hitchcock v. Coker, 6 Ad. & El. 438; Knott v. Morgan, 2 Keen, 213; Potter v. Commissioners of Inland Revenue, 10 Exch. 147 ; Wedderburn v. Wedderburn, 22 Beav. 84; Griffith v. Kirley, 189 Mass. 522; Hutchinson v. Nay, 183 Mass. 355; S. C. 187 Mass. 262; Moore v. Rawson, 185 Mass. 264; Crossman v. Griggs, 186 Mass. 275. For cases recognizing the right in connection with a trademark, trade name, or other designation of origin, see American Waltham Watch Co. v. United States Watch Co. 173 Mass. 85; Flagg Manuf. Co. v. Holway, 178 Mass. 83; Samuels v. Spitzer, 177 Mass. 226 ; Marsh v. Billings, 7 Cush. 322 ; Hildreth v. McDonald Co. 164 Mass. 16; Russia Cement Co. v. LePage, 147 Mass. 206 ; Viano v. Baccigalupo, 183 Mass. 160; Regis v. Jaynes, 185 Mass. 458, 463; Cohen v. Nagle, 190 Mass. 4.

This good will is connected with and dependent upon the use of the name “ Creamalt ” and the combination of features in the manufacture of the bread which give it a distinctive visual appearance unlike that of any other bread in the market. These indicate the place of manufacture of the loaves as they are sold, and give them a peculiar value in the market. The right to ' have the benefit of the reputation of its products, which are ¡ designated as above, is important to the plaintiff, and it is a; right of property which the courts will guard as carefully as it would visible, tangible property. This right necessarily includes ■ a right to the use of the trade name, trademark or other proper ’ designation of its bread, thus acquired by appropriation and public recognition. Any one who attempts to deprive one of such a right, by palming off goods of his own manufacture for others which have acquired a valuable reputation, is a wrongdoer whose fraudulent attempt will subject him to the restraining and retributive orders of the court.

The practical difficulties which arise in such cases come from conflicting rights, where the plaintiff’s right to use his chosen means of designation of his products is not exclusive. One way of designating articles of manufacture as coming from a particular maker is by a trademark. This, to be an effectual protection to one who has adopted and used it, must be something to which the user may have an exclusive right. It therefore cannot be anything to the use of which, for a similar purpose, others may also have a right. The courts will not recognize trademarks which are not chosen in such a way as not to conflict with the rights of others to use common names and things, like the names of persons and places, and of colors and forms with which all are familiar.

But goods often come to be known as of a particular manufacture, and acquire a valuable reputation, by means of a designation that could not be made the subject of a trademark, because others may have occasion to make some use of the words or marks chosen. It is important to every one who has acquired a valuable good will in his business in that way, to have it protected, as his other property is protected. It is also important to the public to be able to recognize articles of manufacture as produced by a known and trustworthy maker, through the appearance by which they have come to be known. The courts therefore have two reasons for recognizing and protecting trade names, and other similar means of designation, whenever they accompany articles of manufacture. One is to save to the manufacturer the benefit of the good will which belongs to his prod-nets through the use of the trade name or other designation, and the other is to protect the public from frauds that might be practised by the sale of imitations. The foundation of the jurisdiction of the courts in these cases is the right of the plaintiff, who asks for relief from the frauds of those who seek to appropriate that which rightfully belongs to him. Such a fraud need not be an active fraud in any other sense than in the wilful refusal to recognize the right of the party, who has acquired a reputation for his goods, to have the benefit of the confidence which he has earned.

If the plaintiff in such a case has acquired for his manufactures a valuable reputation in the community, in connection with a trade name, or with other peculiarities by which they are known, and if the defendant has no right that will be interfered with to his detriment by a protection of the plaintiff’s rights, the result is easily reached. The defendant is enjoined from any use of the name or other indications of origin employed by the plaintiff. If some of these names or indications belong to the public, for any proper use, and the defendant has an interest to employ them, it becomes necessary to give the case such a direction, if possible, as will enable each so to enjoy his right as not to interfere with the right of the other. If that is not possible, their rights. must be adjusted on equitable principles, having proper regard [to the interests of both. The cases in which the plaintiff can have no relief are those in which the right of the defendant to the use of the name is as important as the right of the plaintiff to have all the benefits, pertaining to his business, which he seeks to retain. In such a case the defendant does not fraudulently or wrongfully appropriate the plaintiff’s property, although he may obtain an advantage from the good reputation of the plaintiff’s products. Cases showing the general right of a manufacturer to protection in a case like the present are the following: Knott v. Morgan, 2 Keen, 213; Garrett v. Garrett, 78 Fed. Rep. 472; Reddaway v. Banham, [1896] A. C. 199, 204; Saxlehner v. Apollinaris Co. [1897] 1 Ch. 893, 899; Baker v. Baker, 77 Fed. Rep. 181; Anheuser-Busch Brewing Assoc. v. Clarke, 26 Fed. Rep. 410; Von Mumm v. Frash, 56 Fed. Rep. 830; Cook & Bernheimer Co. v. Ross, 73 Fed. Rep. 203; Weinstock v. Marks, 109 Cal. 529; Hildreth v. McDonald Co. 164 Mass. 16; New England Awl & Needle Co. v. Marlborough Awl & Needle Co. 168 Mass. 154; American Waltham Watch Co. v. United States Watch Co. 173 Mass. 85; Samuels v. Spitzer, 177 Mass. 226 ; Flagg Manuf. Co. v. Holway, 178 Mass. 83 ; Viano v. Baccigalupo, 183 Mass. 160; Cohen v. Nagle, 190 Mass. 4, The foundation of the plaintiff’s right is the fact that the combination of name, size, shape and condition of surface, producing a peculiar visual appearance, were all adopted by the plaintiff when not in use by any one else, and are such a combination as no one else needs to use. The shape is found to be unusual, and uneconomical for cutting. The general right of the defendants, to use any size or shape or condition of surface that they choose does not give them a right to adopt a combination of these, which will mislead the public, to the plaintiff’s detriment and their own advantage. New England Awl & Needle Co. v. Marlborough Awl & Needle Co. 168 Mass. 154. Reddaway v. Banham, [1896] A. C. 199. Saxlehner v. Apollinaris Co. [1897] 1 Ch. 893, 899. Enterprise Manuf. Co. v. Landers, 131 Fed. Rep. 240. Putnam Nail Co. v. Bennett, 43 Fed. Rep. 800. Buck's Stove Range Co. v. Kiechle, 76 Fed. Rep. 758. Sterling Remedy Co. v. Spermine Medical Co. 112 Fed. Rep. 1000. Globe-Wernicke Co. v. Brown, 121 Fed. Rep. 90. Elliott v. Hodgson, 19 Rep. Pat. Cas. 518. Weinstock v. Marks, 109 Cal. 529. Cohen v. Nagle, 190 Mass. 4. If it were necessary for them to adopt such a combination, it could only be permitted, after the plaintiff had acquired a Valuable reputation in connection with it, on condition that it be accompanied by a designation or statement plainly showing that the defendants’ bread was not of the plaintiff’s manufacture. American Waltham Watch Co. v. United States Watch Co. 173 Mass. 85. Weinstock v. Marks, 109 Cal. 529. Garrett v. Garrett, 78 Fed. Rep. 472, 478. The difference between the right to the use of a trade name or other similar designation acquired in this way, and a technical trademark, is that, while the trade name or other designation, like a trademark, is attached to the manufactured article, and accompanies it in the market, it may be of such a kind as not to make the right exclusive. But the findings of the master show that the defendants’ legitimate business can be conducted properly without giving their loaves this distinctive, misleading appearance.

It is not true that the wholesale dealers can successfully defend on the ground that they do not mislead or intend to mislead the retail dealers to whom they sell. It is enough to require an injunction, if they knowingly place an instrument of fraud in the hands of a retailer, with which he may deceive the public. New England Awl Needle Co. v. Marlborough Awl Needle Co. 168 Mass. 154. Fairbank Co. v. Bell Manuf. Co. 77 Fed. Rep. 869. Hostetter Co. v. Becker, 73 Fed. Rep. 297. Fairbank Co. v. Luckel Co. 102 Fed. Rep. 327. Lever v. Goodwin, 36 Ch. D. 1.

The master’s finding that the words “ Crown Malt ” bear such a close resemblance to the plaintiff’s trade name and trademark “ Creamalt ” as to be likely to promote frauds by dealers, and mislead the public, is a finding of fact which must stand unless it is plainly wrong. The evidence on which the finding was made is not all before us. It does not appear that the finding is wrong. The defendants cannot suffer seriously from it, as the word “ Creamalt ” was coined by the plaintiff as a name for its bread, and there is nothing to show that there was any reason for the adoption by the defendants of the name “ Crown Malt ”, except its similarity to the name adopted by the plaintiff.

In view of what we have stated, it is unnecessary to consider the defendants’ exceptions particularly. Many of them are to findings of fact by the master, upon evidence which is not reported.

The plaintiff is entitled to an injunction, the terms of which will be fixed by a single justice, and to an assessment of damages.

Decree accordingly.