Lies & Co. v. Daniel

82 Ga. 272

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: October 10, 1887
• Status: Published

Opinion

Bleckley, C. J.

1. The question of fact whether the cigar-boxes held for sale and being sold by the defendant, with the marks, de. vices and designs thereon, are such colorable imitations of the ’ complainants’ goods as to be likely to deceive or mislead pur. ■ chasers- to the injury of complainants, being for the jury on final hearing of the bill, and irreparable damage not being probable, there being no charge that the defendant is insolvent, there was no error in denying an interlocutory injunction. Injunctions in restraint of trade should be sparingly granted before final decree. , The B. B. B. case, 77 Ga. 216.

Judgment affirmed.

2. On the call of this case, the following order was passed: “It being made to appear to the court that Fritz Brothers have a direct inter- ■ est in the result of this cause, though they are not parties to the record, it is ordered that they have leave to appear by their counsel, Harrison & Peeples, as provided by section 4275 of the code.” ; (Rep.)

By amendment, complainants say that their trademark as registered consists of the word-symbol “ Grand Republic”; it is arranged in connection with the representations of a bundle of fasces and of the American flag, and with the initials and character “ G. P. L. & Co.”; but in th'e stateihent filed for this trade-mark, complainants ask tliat the fasces, flag, initials and char-: acter be omitted; or some other device substituted for them, without materially changing the character of the trade-mark, the essential feature of which is the word-symbol “ Grand Republic.” After using this for a short time, complainants substituted a picture of a goddess for the fasces and flag, and have since used them. They ask leave to strike from the bill all parts of the same that are inconsistent with the above trade-mark. Attached to the bill as exhibits are complainant’s box-label and carmine seal.

The defendant answered the bill, in substance, as follows : Denies that complainants have any of the rights of the user and owner of a trade-mark such as described in the bill, and particularly that they are entitled to exclusive use of a carmine embossed seal placed on the outside of boxes, or of a plain cedar box with or without paper borders, or any kind of cedar box. He denies that they invented any such plain box, but asserts that the use of cedar and the making of it into boxes for cigars is a right open to the world. He is not hound by the proceedings in Cincinnati between complainants and Fritz Brothers, not being a party thereto. He has bought no cigars from Fritz Brothers except “ Great Injunction Cigarros” and some imported goods. He is advised and "believes tbat complainants never obtained any injunction against Fritz Bros, as to sale of “ Great Injunction Cigarros.” He bas never sold any “ Great Republic Cigarros,” and is not purposing to do so. He is advised and believes tbat tbe decree referred to in tbe bill was obtained by fraud, consisting in misrepresentations made by counsel for complainants to Fritz Bros, to tbe effect that all they desired enjoined was tbe use of tbe word “ Republic”; tbat Fritz Bros, consented to tbe same to tbat extent only; tbat tbe counsel procured a pretended plea to be made for Fritz Bros.; and tbat tbe decree was entered by fraud and deception practiced thus, and it is void. But defendant bas not offered for sale any cigarros under tbe name- of “ Great Republic Cigarros,” nor in boxes similar to those used by Fritz Bros, at tbe time tbe decree was obtained. Defendant was informed by Fred. Law tbat some sort of litigation bad been in Cincinnati. "Whether this was true or not, defendant did not know, and told Law tbat Fritz Bros, would protect him in tbe sale of their goods. He did not then presume, and does not now believe, tbat tbe sale of tbe “ Great Injunction Cigarros” by him could be any violation of complainants’ rights, either generally or regarding tbe decree, even if valid ; for neither tbe goods nor tbe boxes containing them nor tbe marks on tbe boxes are so like those of complainants as to deceive any buyer of ordinary intelligence or who would look at what be buys. Tbe dissimilarities are so many and marked, tbat they do not require careful inspection to distinguish them. When placed side by side, tbe articles, boxes and marks are palpably different. The words “ Great Injunction,” so far from being a pretence tbat tbe goods are tbe same as those of complainants, are an advei*tisement of a controversy between them and Fritz Bros., and of a difference between tbe goods. The “ Great Injunction Cigarros” are larger than the “ Grand Republic Cigarros.” The boxes differ materially in size. The label on the inside of complainants’ box represents the goddess of liberty holding a wreath in her left hand, the left arm being lowered and resting upon a circular mantel, with -her right hand holding a flag-staff, the hand being elevated and the arm stretched out towards her right, the figure fronting the looker-on. On the lower right-hand corner of the label is an eagle, shield and American flag, and on the flag streamer are the words . “ e pluribus unum.” Above the figure are the words “ Grand Republic Cigarros,” and underneath the goddess of liberty is the name of “ Geo. P. Lies & Co.” To the right of the goddess are printed these words : “ These Cigarros are made and guaranteed by Factory No. 200, 3d Dist., N. "Y.”; and on the left of the goddess are printed these words: “ All infringements or imitations of the label and style of our box will be vigorously prosecuted.” Whereas the label on the inside of the “ Great Injunction Cigarros ” represents not a goddess of liberty, but a goddess of industry, with both hands resting on a globe, on which are the words “ Cuba ” and “ America.” The figure of this goddess is sitting sidewise, both hands extended towards the globe, with her face turned towards the looker-on; and behind her there is no circular mantel, but in the distance' is a train of cars over an arched bridge, a river, and a distant mountain. On her right are pictures of fruits, a sheaf of grain and agricultural and mechanical instruments. No such things appear on complainants’ label, hut at that place thereon appear a flag with stars, a spear-head and battle-ax, and a cornucopia with escaping coin. On the left of the goddess of industry used on Fritz Brothers’ label are pictures of a clock, triangle and ax, and the background represents a stream on which, is the picture,of a ship under full canvas, and a balloon in the sky-; none of which appear on complainants’ label. On complainants’ label is a circle of stars and rainbow colors behind their goddess of liberty, which do not appear on Fritz Brothers’ label. On complainants’ label, the words “ Grand Republic Cigarros” are printed in gilt letters ; whereas defendant’s has the words “ Great Injunction Cigarros ” printed in black ink and different type. A marked difference is that the goddess of industry is crowned, while the goddess of liberty is not. The entire color and appearance of the two labels are so dissimilar as to be detected by a glance. There is no printing on the label used by defendant; whereas one-fourth of the label of complainants is taken up with gilt printing. There is no gilt printing at all on the label of Fritz Bros. On the lid of complainants’ box is printed: <£ Grand Republic Cigarros. Carmine Seal Brand. Long Havana Filler. Guaranteed by Factory 200, 3d Dist., N. Y.” On Fritz Brothers’ box are the words : “ Great Injunction Cigarros. Long Havana Filler. Guaranteed by Factory 113, 1st Dist., 0.” On the front side of complainants’ box are the words: “ Grand Republic Cigarros. All genuine Cigarros will bear this seal, with a carmine seal with the words printed, thereon, Geo. P. Lies & Co. Third District N. Y.” And across its face, “ Factory 200.” On the front side of the box used by defendant are the words, in different style of type and different color of ink:.“ Great Injunction Cigarros. All genuine Cigarros will bear this seal. Guaranteed by Factory 113, 1st Dist., O.”; and the seal is light red, and printed upon it, “Fritz Bros., Factory 113, 1st Dist., O.” The seal upon the front lid is no invention of complainants and no new matter, , having been used for many years by various.dealers.. Among others, Jacob Weil, as long ago as 1876, used such, a seal on cigar-boxes in Cincinnati. Samuel Erost, a cigar-box manufacturer of the same city, has for four years been placing a red seal on boxes for his customers, and they have been used in the trade. Eighteen years ago, Abraham Newberg, a cigar manufacturer, used a round seal on the outside of cigar-boxes as a brand, which use was continued. The ends of the boxes are entirely different. Complainants’has printed on it: “ Carmine Seal Brand. Eactory No. 200, 3d Dist., N. Y. 100.” The box of defendant has nothing on it except the figures “ 100.” The boxes, marks thereon and the cigarros are different from those which were being used by Eritz Bros, when the injunction against them was fraudulently obtained. Their box -then had a plain label; inside of its lid were the words “ Great Republic ” printed over the figure ; and it was the use of the word “ Republic ” which was the basis of the objection then made and of the decree rendered. ■ Defendant denies all combination with Eritz Bros, to do wrong to complainants, as well as all averments that tend to show that he has done aiiy wrong for which he ought to be enjoined. He has sold the “ Grand Republic ” cigar. Many of his customers buy the “ Great Injunction ” in preference to it, and did not think they were getting the “ Grand Republic they buy them because they differ, not because they are alike. The “ Great Injunction ” is not inferior to the “ Grand Republic and defendant has found as many persons who prefer the former as who prefer the latter. He has never attempted to sell the former ■ for the latter, or to make a person believe he was buying the latter when he was buying the former. He sold the “ Great Injunction ” in eomj>etition with, not for similarity to, the “ Grand Republic.” The use of the words “Injunction ” advertised a controversy and a difference between the two.

The testimony introduced on the hearing, on the point as to whether the cigar-boxes held for sale and being sold by defendant, with the marks, devices and designs thereon, were such colorable imitations of complainants’ goods as to be likely to deceive or mislead purchasers to the injury of complainants, was conflicting. There was introduced by complainants an exemplification from the superior court of Cincinnati, showing .petition for injunction of complainants against Fritz Bros.; demurrer of the latter, with order overruling same; defendants’ answer, which was simply a denial of the allegations in the petition; and the order of the court, finding the issues in favor of the complainants, and that they are owners of the trade-mark known as “Grand Republic” cigarros; and decreeing that defendants be enjoined from manufacturing, etc. any imitations of complainants’ articles bearing the name of “Great Republic,” or any imitation of said name, or any imitation of the design or trade-mark of the plaintiffs, and from branding, labelling or marking any boxes or packages containing cigars or cigarros with any such labels or marks. Also, an exemplification of the petition of Fritz Bros, to vacate this decree, alleging fraud in its procurement, etc.; the answer of Lies & Co. thereto; and the judgment of the court denying the application, to which Fritz Bros, excepted and filed a motion for a new trial, which was overruled, and thereupon (a statement in the order) exception by Fritz Bros.

The injunction was denied, and the complainants excepted.

John L. Tye, for plaintiffs. A. H. Cox and Harrison & Peeples, for defendants.