Peter Schoenhofen Brewing Co. v. Maltine Co.

30 App. D.C. 340, 1908 U.S. App. LEXIS 5542
CourtCourt of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
DecidedFebruary 4, 1908
DocketNo. 448
StatusPublished

This text of 30 App. D.C. 340 (Peter Schoenhofen Brewing Co. v. Maltine Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Peter Schoenhofen Brewing Co. v. Maltine Co., 30 App. D.C. 340, 1908 U.S. App. LEXIS 5542 (D.C. Cir. 1908).

Opinion

Mr. Justice Van Orsdel

delivered the opinion of the Court:

This is an appeal from the Commissioner of Patents refusing an application for the registration of a trademark.

The appellant, the Peter Schoenhofen Brewing Company, on September 25, 1905, filed its application, serial No. 12,952, for the registration of a trademark or name consisting of the compound or hyphenated word “Edelweiss-Maltine” set in an elaborate picture or design, described in the application as follows : “The trademark consists in a transversely elongated right panel having a narrow centre and rounded ends, and having a gold border. Upon the panel appears in script letters the word “Edelweiss,” and in block letters the word “Maltine” located somewhat below the word “Edelweiss.” Above the right panel is a segmental gold-bordered blue panel having in its centre a medallion bust portrait of a woman with Edelweiss flowers in her hair, and around the portrait are vines, grain, [342]*342etc. Within the upper panel appear the words, “A superior extract of barley, malt, and imported hops.” Below the right panel is a lower rounded panel having a yellow centre and a blue exterior with a gold border. Within the lower panel appear the words, Bottled only by the Malt Extract Dep’t of The P. Schoenhofen Brewing Co., Chicago.” This trademark has been continuously used by appellant since December 15, 1900.

The appellee on April 17, 1906, filed its opposition to the registration of this trademark, and assigned as a reason for such opposition that its use by appellant was “calculated to create confusion in the trade, and to interfere with the established trade.” A large amount of evidence was taken in the case. It appears that three different certificates of registration on the trademark “Maltine” were obtained by the appellee and its predecessors between the years 1875 and 1905. It may be stated that the specification upon which the trademark “Maltine” was registered provided in general terms for its use on medical preparations containing malt extract. It is claimed by appellee that the word “Maltine” was originally coined and applied as a trademark to the product which is now widely known to the public by that name. The same person coined the word who discovered the product. Maltine has gained a wide use as a medicine and tonic, and is prescribed extensively by physicians, and sold generally by druggists. The record discloses an analysis of the respective products of the parties to this interference. The analysis is as follows:—

Edelweiss Maltine Maltine Plain.

Water 88.04 per cent. 28.20 per cent.

Alcohol ■ 4.42 ' ” 0. ”

Maltose 2.95 ” 60.26 ”

Dextrine, etc. 4.21 ” 6.01

Albuminoids 0.395 ” 3.63 »

Acidity 0.117 ” 0.486 yy

Carbonic acid 0.32 ” 0. yy

Ashes 0.418 ” 1.45 ”

Diastase 0. ” Plain traces.

[343]*343It will be observed that tbe products possess in varying percentages tbe same properties, except that maltine contains no alcohol or carbonic acid, but it does contain a plain trace of diastase, while Edelweiss-Maltine contains both alcohol and carbonic acid, but no diastase.

A trademark is registered for the purpose of enabling the owner to use it exclusively as a distinguishing name for a certain product, and thereby enable him to gain the advantages that follow such a distinct designation in extending and enlarging his business. The purpose of the trademark is to get before the public, in a unique and impressive manner, the goods on which the mark is used, and to distinguish such goods from all other goods on the market of the same class or description. It serves a two-fold purpose, — to protect the owner from unfair competition, and the public from being deceived. Being devoted to this two-fold use, it is important to keep in mind that it is the design appearing on the goods, and not the specifications filed in the Patent Office on which the trademark was registered, or is sought to be registered, that affects the public mind and protects the trade of the owner. It is the trademark, and not the specifications, that is exposed to public inspection. People generally are not interested in what the specifications contain. In the case at bar, while the applicant’s specifications allege that “the class of merchandise to which the trademark is appropriated is fermented liquors, and the particular description of goods comprised in said class, upon which said mark is used, is lager beer,” there is nothing on the face of the mark or design in which it is used, or on the packages or bottles to which it is applied, to indicate that they contain either fermented liquor or lager beer. The exhibits of the applicant’s goods on which the mark “Edelweiss-Maltine” is used, which were introduced in evidence, show that labels are used thereon describing the contents as follows: “A superior extract of barley, malt, and imported hops, bottled only by the Malt Extract Dep’t of The P. Schoenhofen Brewing Co., of Chicago.” The bottles also bear a “caution” label, which states that “Edelweiss-Maltine is the highest concentration of the pure, health-[344]*344giving properties of selected malt and hops. Edelweiss-Maltine will promote perfect and restful sleep, quiet the nerves, aid digestion, will restore and assist nature in the action of the stomach, liver, and kidneys, without any after effects. Edelweiss-Maltine is an invaluable aid to men and womern in convalescence, a boon to nursing mothers. It is simply a perfect food for brain, body, and mind. Drink a glass at meals and before retiring, and as a beverage it is good for you. Keep in a cool dark place.” There was also introduced in evidence a blotter that had been issued by the appellant company, on which appeared the design described in the application in this case, except that on the blotter the word “Maltine” is by far the most prominent feature, the word “Edelweiss” being obscure and partially inclosed within an initial curve of the letter M of Maltine. The product of appellant is described on the blotter as follows: “A pleasing, tasteful, invigorating tonic, as well as a pleasant beverage, for strengthening and building up the system, recommended for convalescents and nursing mothers by all leading physicians. 12 bottles $1. Prepared by the P. Schoenhofen Brewing Co., Malt Extract Dep’t.”

We are impressed with the discrepancy between the language used by appellant in its application, which describes a fermented alcoholic beverage, and the labels on the packages and bottles on which the trademark sought to be registered is used, and the blotter, which attribute to the product purely medicinal qualities. In other words, it is apparent that appellant, in its application filed in the Patent Office, has described a product entirely different from that described upon its labels and advertising matter. So far as the purchaser is .concerned, the products of both contending parties are described as possessing substantially the same properties. Both are advertised especially as tonics, and, so far as the public is advised, both belong to that general class of medicines. The mere fact that appellant has used .the mark “Edelweiss-Maltine” on its goods under this false guise since December 15, 1900, is sufficient ground for the refusal of registration.

Under these circumstances, the allowance of this trademark [345]

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Related

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125 F. 181 (Eighth Circuit, 1903)

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Bluebook (online)
30 App. D.C. 340, 1908 U.S. App. LEXIS 5542, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/peter-schoenhofen-brewing-co-v-maltine-co-cadc-1908.