Robinson v. Robinson's, Inc.

9 Tenn. App. 103, 1928 Tenn. App. LEXIS 221
CourtCourt of Appeals of Tennessee
DecidedNovember 16, 1928
StatusPublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 9 Tenn. App. 103 (Robinson v. Robinson's, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Tennessee primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Robinson v. Robinson's, Inc., 9 Tenn. App. 103, 1928 Tenn. App. LEXIS 221 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1928).

Opinion

SENTER, J.

The record in this cause contains an elaborate finding of the facts by the Chancellor, and also a supplemental finding of the facts made hv the Chancellor in response to the petition of defendant for other and additional findings. The facts found by the Chancellor, are we think, well supported by a preponderance of the evidence, and the Chancellor so well states the case and the facts that we adopt his findings which are as follows:

“The. complainant by her hill herein sought to enjoin the defendant from using the name ‘Robinson’s, Inc.,’ upon the ground of unfair competition; immediately after the filing of the hill the defendant amended its charter so a,s to change its corporate name to ‘Julius Robinson, Tnc.,’ and thereupon complainant amended her bill so as to pray an injunction restraining the defendant from using that name. The preliminary injunction was denied. The material facts are as follows:

“I. Tn 1869 James S. Robinson established in the city of Memphis a retail drug business, which, upon his death in 1923, he bequeathed to, and which is now operated by his widow, the complainant herein. This business was first located at the southeast corner of Madison and Second streets, in the building known as. the Messick building; after some years in this location it was moved to the northeast corner of Madison and Second streets to the building then known as the Masonic Temple, where it remained until about twenty or twenty-five years ago when the Masonic Temple was torn down; it was then moved north about 200 or 250 feet to a four story building purchased by Mr. Robinson, where it has since been operated; so that during its entire history of nearly sixty years, this business has been successfully carried on either at *105 the corner of Madison and Second streets, or at its present location, a short distance north, on Second street between Madison and Court streets.

“2. The business soon acquired an enviable reputation, in the City of Memphis and surrounding territory for the extent, variety and completeness of its stock of drug’s; for the skill, care and accuracy in the compounding of doctor’s prescriptions; and for its cut-rate prices on patent medicines; it has always been generally regarded as having the best and most complete line of drags in the city; the compounding of prescriptions has always been its specialty, and one of its slogans has been ‘Robinson has it for less.’ Prior to 1907 when the Moseley-Robinson and Cox Drug' Co., opened a retail store in Memphis there was no other drug' store except J. S. Robinson’s in Memphis, which bore the name of Robinson in any form, and prior to that year, on its signs, stationery and labels, and in its newspaper advertising, this business was known almost entirely by the name of ‘Robinson’s’; and the name ‘Robinson’s’ at once suggested the business of J. S. Robinson, and became thoroughly identified in the public mind with it.

'“After the Moseley-Robinson Drug Co. came into the field, James S. Robinson began to advertise under the name of Mames S. Robinson, Apothecary,’ on his signs, labels and stationery, but without in any manner abandoning the use of the trade, name, ‘Robinson’s.’

“3. James S. Robinson died on July 11, 1923, and bequeathed this business to his widow, the complainant herein; and she has continued to operate, it at the same place, under the same name, and in the same business-like manner.

“4. Julius A. Robinson, Jr., first became interested in the wholesale drag business in 1907 as an employee of the Lillybeck Drug Co., afterwards the Ellis-Jones Drug Co., from 1914 to 1917, he managed the ‘City Desk’ for the Ellis-Jones Drug Co.; and from 1917 to 1926 he had the same position with the Ilessig-Ellis Drag Co. These were all wholesale concerns, and his duties were in the office; he was not a graduate pharmacist.

“In 1919 he invested $1500 in a retail drug business run by C. C. Manning at Chelsea and Thomas street; shortly thereafter his brother, Andrew went into the Manning store as an employee, and later in the year acquired an interest in the business. The business was still operated under the name of C. C. Manning. 'While the business was still operated under this name, they purchased the Chelsea Drug Store at Second and Mill streets; and then-Manning ran the store at Chelsea and Thomas streets and Andrew Robinson ran the one at Second and Mill. In 1921 this business was incorporated and operated under the name of Manning-Robinson Drug Co., with Manning as its president and Andrew Robinson as its *106 secretary and treasurer. Andrew was the general manager of this business, did the ‘hiring and firing,’ and devoted his entire time and attention to it until 1925 when his health failed.

“5-. In 1922, L. G. Doughty, the father in law of Julius A. Robinson, Jr., purchased Manning’s stock in the company, and by amendment to its charter the corporate name was changed to Doughty-Robinson Drug Co., .and Doughty was elected president, and Andrew continued as secretary.

“Julius A. Robinson, Jr., was the principal stockholder, did the buying; financed the business by endorsing for the company and controlled the policy of the business; but he was not an officer or director, and was not publicly identified with it; up to January 1st, 1926, he remained in the employ of the Hessig-Ellis Drug Co.; on that date he left that company and thereafter devoted his entire attention to the Doughty-Robinson business.

“6. During and after the year, 1922, the Doughty-Robinson Drug Co. purchased several other retail drug stores which were located in different locations of the city; and opened two new ones, the main store in 'the chain being at Union and Somerville streets; some of these stores were operated at a loss, and some were sold; and as a result of these purchases and sales there remained five of the suburban stores which were operated by the Doughty-Robinson Drug Company in February, 1927. Up to this time some of these stores were operated under their original names such as Chelsea Drug Company, Buntyn Pharmacy, Parkview Hotel, etc.

“7. On February 25, 1927, the charter of the company was amended so as to change the corporate name to ‘Robinson’s, Inc.’ and to authorize and increase in the capital stock from $40,000 to $125,000; and after this time the actual capital was increased from $18,000 to $84,000'; Julius A. Robinson is noAV the owner of $26,000 of this stock; and he, was m'ade the president of the company at this time.

“8. -After the change in the corporate name was made, the defendant ordered new stationery, labels, wrapping paper, cartons, etc., in the name of ‘Robinson’s, Inc.,’ and did some newspaper advertising in that name. It had the name of ‘Robinson’s Inc.,’ listed in the telephone directory, in addition to the old name of Doughty-Robinson Drug Company and the names of the original stores. In this connection it is admitted that the telephone listing is important in the drug business, and that much patronage is received over the telephone.

“9. In March, 1927, the complainant took notice of this use by the defendant of the name of ‘Robinson’s Inc.,’ and consulted counsel and on April 21st, formal objection was made to the use by de *107

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Bluebook (online)
9 Tenn. App. 103, 1928 Tenn. App. LEXIS 221, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/robinson-v-robinsons-inc-tennctapp-1928.