United States v. Cody Manufacturing Co.

44 C.C.P.A. 67

• Court: Court of Customs and Patent Appeals
• Decided: February 21, 1957
• Docket: No. 4875
• Status: Published

Opinions

Worley, Judge,

delivered the opinion of the court:

This is an appeal by the Government from the judgment of the United States Customs Court, First Division, Abstract 59750, sus-taming the importers’ protest and holding that the merchandise in controversy should be classified as parts of music boxes under paragraph 1541 (a) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as modified by Presidential Proclamation, T. D. 48093, rather than as dolls under paragraph 1513 of that Act, as modified by the Torquay Protocol to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, T. D. 52739, and Presidential Proclamation, T. D. 52857.

The pertinent paragraphs, as so modified, are as follows:

The shipment consists of four different types of merchandise; namely, 3000 musical movements, 3000 figurines, each about two inches high, referred to in the invoice as dolls, 3000 brass tubes, and 3000 blocking screws. These items do not, as imported, constitute unitary devices but are distinct and disconnected. After importation they are assembled with certain domestic articles to form units which are described by the Customs Court as follows:

The music box, with which we are concerned, consists of a plywood base, approximately 4 inches in diameter, and a so-called “cut-out shell” (metal case), that fits into the wooden base. Those articles, which are of domestic manufacture, serve as the means .for assembly of the four imported items into the complete music box. The “musical movement” * * * is fastened to the plywood base with screws. The movement, per se, consists of a metal cylinder, with minute pegs projecting from the surface. As the cylinder revolves, small metal teeth strike the pegs, thereby reproducing musical tones. Permanently attached to the metal frame, on which the “musical movement” is compactly arranged, is a metal platform, approximately three-eighths of an inch square, which, by means of a metal arm, contacts a special gear attached to the metal cylinder. The “brass tube” * * *, three-fourths of an inch in length and one thirty-seconds of an inch in diameter, is soldered to the “cut-out shell’ in such a manner that the tube extends upward through the center of the shell * * *. The “doll” * * * is a miniature female figure, 2 inches high, composed of plastic material,and garbed to simulate a ballet dancer. Extending downward from the torso, and permanently affixed thereto, is a pointed metal shaft, 2% of an inch long. The metal shaft fits into the brass tube * * *, so that the loosely hanging legs of the plastic figure barely touch the top of the metal shell, which is the housing for the movement * * *. The blocking screw * * * is fitted to the lower end of the pointed metal shaft from which the plastic figure is suspended. A hollow transparent plastic covering, also of domestic .manufacture and made to fit over the dancing figure and into the cut-out shell * * *, completes the finished music box * * In jts completed form, the music box measures approximately 4 inches in diameter and about 6 inches in height.

The music box is operated by winding with a key that projects through the bottom of the wooden base. When the movement is wound and released, musical sounds or melodies are emitted, and the metal platform, that is attached to a gear connected with the musical movement, is raised and lowered. This movement Of the metal platform causes the metal shaft, to v. hich the plastic figure is attached, to move and whirl in such a manner as to give the effect of a dancing figure. All of the imported items, as ultimately assembled with those of domestic manufacture, are essential to complete the commercial entity, recognized in the trade as a music box.

The musical movements were classified by the collector as parts of music boxes under paragraph 1541 (a), as modified, and are not in dispute here. The remaining items were classified as an entirety as dolls under paragraph 1513, as modified. The importer protested the latter classification, successfully claiming that all the items involved were parts of music boxes. The Government appeals from the decision of the Customs Court, contending that the collector’s classification was proper. Accordingly, the question here is whether the figurines, blocking screws, and brass tubes properly constitute “parts of music boxes” or “dolls.”

The record of an earlier case, Cody Manufacturing Co., Inc., Rohner Gehrig & Co., Inc. v. United States, 33 Cust. Ct. 377, Abstract 58428, has been incorporated into the instant record. Involved there were figurines similar to those here, but not brass tubes or locking screws. The figurines were held classifiable as dolls under paragraph 1513, as modified, supra. In its decision in the instant case, the Customs Court said, with respect to its earlier decision:

• The case of Cody Manufacturing Co., Inc., et al. v. United States, 33 Cust. Ct. 377, Abstract 58428, tfie record in which was incorporated herein, is distinguishable from the present one. The cited case related only to one item, a plastic figure like that involved herein * * *. The present case, involving, as it does, all of the mechanical features of a particular style of music box, including the plastic figure attached to a metal shaft, presents a different situation from that which was before us in the Cody Manufacturing Co., Inc., et al. case, supra. Hence, the reasoning followed and the conclusion reached therein do not apply herein.

We are unable to see that the foregoing presents a valid distinction so far as the plastic figurines are concerned. Whether those figurines are dolls or parts of music boxes appears to be a question which is wholly independent of whether the brass tubes and blocking screws are included in the same shipment. It is to be noted that the latter parts were invoiced separately and not as constituting units with .the plastic figurines. ¡

' Essential to the disposition of this appeal is the meaning of the term “music box” as used in paragraph 1541 (a). There is no contention that the term has a commercial meaning differing from its common meaning.

In its decision in the incorporated case, the Customs Court made the following statement with respect to the meaning of that term:

The term, “music box,” as defined by leading dictionary authorities, is a case or a cabinet, housing a mechanism that plays tunes or melodies automatically. Specifically, Webster’s New International Dictionary defines “music box” as “a box or case containing apparatus moved by clockwork so as to play certain tunes automatically.” Punk & Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary embodies the definition of “music box” under the word “musical,” wherein “m. box” is defined as “a case or cabinet containing a mechanism contrived to reproduce melodies, and frequently possessing additional musical effects. The notes are reproduced by the vibrations of steel teeth struck by minute pegs projecting from the surface of a revolving cylinder.”

The above definition from Webster’s New International Dictionary was also quoted by this court in Thorens Inc. v. United States, 31 C. C. P. A. (Customs) 125, C. A. D. 261, with a statement to the effect that the term “music box” is not ambiguous, and that extraneous aids could not properly be resorted to in order to determine its meaning.

Accordingly, we accept the foregoing definitions of the term “music box.” It remains to be determined whether the figurines, brass tubes, and blocking screws are “parts of” such a box within the meaning of paragraph 1541 (a) of the Tariff Act of 1930.

Both this court and its predecessor, the United States Court of Customs Appeals, have frequently had occasion to pass upon the meaning of the words “parts thereof” as applied to various devices named in the tariff acts.

In Welte & Sons v. United States, 5 Ct. Cust. Appls. 164, T. D. 34249, it was held that music rolls were parts of the player piano with which they were designed to be used since the instrument could not function as a player piano without them, although it might be played by hand.

In holding lamps and horns to be parts of automobiles in United States v. Bosch Magneto Co., 13 Ct. Cust. Appls. 569, T. D. 41434, the court said:

We think lamps and horns are essential and necessary parts of automobiles and that automobiles can not be efficiently, safely or properly operated without them. * * *

In United States v. American Steel & Copper Plate Co., 14 Ct. Cust. Appls. 139, T. D. 41673, it was held that glass photolithographic camera screens were parts of cameras since they were “essential parts of these cameras and without which they cannot function as such.” (Italics ours.)

In holding certain belts to be dutiable as parts of paper making machines in Peter J. Schweitzer (Inc.) v. United States, 16 Ct. Cust. , T. D. 42872, the court stated the applicable principle as follows:

So it may be said that whether an article is an accessory or an integral part of a machine depends, to a considerable extent, upon its use. If its use is casual, auxiliary or optional it is an accessory. If, however, it is used as an essential part, and if the machine is incapable of performing its ordinary and proper functions without it, it will be considered, at least for tariff purposes, as an integral part of of the machine. (Italics ours.)

In Stoeger v. United States, 15 Ct. Cust. Appls. 291, T. D. 42472; it was held that 32-shot magazine drums for pistols were parts thereof, even though the pistols were already equipped with 9-shot magazines. There the court said:

It seems to us that the magazine drum is as much a part of the pistol as is the ordinary magazine which comes inserted in the same. * * * The contention of the importer that the drum magazines are merely accessories and that the pistol is complete without the use of the same may be answered by saying that if they are the kind of pistols represented by catalogue exhibits, “original German Luger (parabellum) automatic pistols” and “Mauser self-loading automatic pistols” they would have to contain some sort of magazine or holder for the shells needed in the action of repeatedly shooting and reloading.

In holding that certain wooden tripods were not parts of cameras, in United States v. Willoughby Camera Stores, Inc., 21 C. C. P. A. (Customs) 322, T. D. 46851, this court said:

It is a well-established rule that a “part” of an article is something necessary to the completion of that article. It is an integral, constituent, or component part, without which the article to which it is to be joined, could not function as such article. * * * (Italics quoted.)

The mere fact that two articles are designed and constructed to be used together, does not necessarily make either a part of the other. * * *

It is to be noted that the cameras and tripods involved in the Willoughby case were especially designed to be used together; that the tripods were provided with screws adapted to be received in sockets in the cameras; and that the cameras “must, in order to be properly used by a photographer, have some adjustable and rigid support.”

The case of United States v. Carl Zeiss, Inc., 24 C. C. P. A. (Customs) 145, T. D. 48624, involved several types of finders for photographic cameras. It was held that some of them were necessary to the functioning of the cameras, as such, and were therefore camera parts, while others which were not essential to the operation of the camera, but merely served the convenience of the operator, were not such parts.

In the recent case of United States v. Antonio Pompeo, 43 C. C. P. A. (Customs) 9, C. A. D. 602, the question was presented whether certain superchargers for automobile engines were parts of such engines. The evidence showed that “once installed, the supercharger was an integral, constituent, component part, without which the motor will not function,” and it was accordingly held that the superchargers were parts of the engines, even though the engines could be operated before they were installed. It was expressly held that the superchargers met the definition of “parts” established in the Willoughby case; namely, that without them the article to which they were joined could not function as such article.

The foregoing authorities are uniform in applying the rule that an element which is not essential to the operation of an article for its intended purpose is not a part of that article.

The intended purpose of music boxes, with which we are primarily concerned here, as is obvious from the name itself, and as shown by the definitions quoted, is to play music, and it would seem that only those elements which are essential to the production of that result can properly be considered parts of music boxes. The plastic figurines here contribute nothing whatever to the playing of the music. The music boxes play exactly the same tune in the same way whether the figurines are attached to them or not.

It is a matter of common knowledge that music boxes are frequently associated with various toys and other devices. Thus, the Thorens case, cited above, involved a music box associated with a toilet paper dispenser, while the case of Lador, Inc. v. United States, 4 Cust. Ct. 123, C. D. 304, involved such a box associated with a stand for Christmas trees. It is evident, however, that while such combinations frequently result in unitary devices, those devices are not necessarily properly termed music boxes, and it was so held in both the Thorens and Lador cases.

It is evident that the Thorens case is closely in point since it also related to a combination device for producing music, and performing an additional function. The Customs Court, in its decision in. the instant case, sought to distinguish the Thorens decision on the ground that the toilet tissue dispenser there was an operative device apart from the music box, whereas here the figurines, tubes, and blocking screws are “utterly worthless” unless they are associated with the music box. However, as shown by the decisions cited above, the determining fact is not whether the alleged part can be used without the article, but whether the article can be used for its intended purpose without that part. It is obvious that none of the finders involved in the Zeiss case had any utility apart from cameras, and the same was apparently true of the specially designed tripods involved in the Willoughby case, but it was nevertheless held that the tripods, and some of the finders, were not parts of cameras.

The Customs Court also stated that the articles in the Thorens and Lador cases were utilitarian, while those in the instant case are amusement devices. We are of the opinion, however, that that distinction has no material bearing on the issue here presented.

Tbe present case is quite similar to United States v. Adler-Jones Co., 20 C. C. P. A. (Customs) 397, T. D. 46231, concerning a manikin with a concealed mechanism which caused the bead and body to rock back and forth. It was there held that such articles must be considered as entireties and as so considered could not properly be classified as machines. While it is true the mechanism in that case was said to be “but a small part” of the figure, in the Thorens decision, wherein the Adler-Jones Go. case was discussed, it was held that fact was not controlling, the court adding:

It will be observed that the quoted language did not hold that the fact that the mechanical device was a small portion of the article controlled our decision. The important point of our decision [in the Adler-Jones Co. case] was that the article must be considered as a whole, and we held that when so considered it did not meet the definition of a machine as that term is commonly used and understood.

Similarly, the instant articles do not meet the definition “music box.”

A further indication that the complete devices at bar are not properly described as music boxes is found in the following testimony of the importers’ single witness, William Cohen:

. R. Q. Do you know what item that is known as, as Illustrative Exhibit 6, in the trade?

A. As a dancing doll.

:R. Q. I am referring now to Exhibit 6, this item that you assemble and sell, what is it then?

. A. There isn’t any particular classification.

Judge Wilson: What do you call that?

The Witness: In our trade we call it a number.

R. Q. Is it known as a music box?

A'. That is right.

It will be seen that while the witness finally testified, in answer to a leading question, that the entire device is known as a music box, his first statement was that it was known as a dancing doll.

For the reasons given, we are of the opinion that the figurines, brass tubes, and blocking screws are not properly classifiable as parts of music boxes.

With respect to the question whether the figurines are properly classifiable as dolls, we agree with the following statement of the Customs Court in its decision in the incorporated case:

Counsel for plaintiffs argues, in his brief, that the merchandise in question does not respond to the tariff classification of “dolls” in that “it could not be used by children as a toy because of the spindle or spike which extends down from the body of the figure,” and also because “the very presence of this spike or spindle makes the Exhibit 1 something more than a doll even if the remaining part of the exhibit were to fall within the tariff definition of doll.”

The contentions are without merit. First of all, the tariff provision for dolls, unlike the one for toys, is not limited to merchandise chiefly used for the amusement of children. As stated by the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals in the case of S. B. Laszlo v. United States, 27 C. C. P. A. (Customs) 152, C. A. D. 76, “paragraph 1513 of the Tariff Act of 1930 differs greatly from previous provisions in other tariff acts with relation to dolls, and it would seem that under said paragraph all dolls, whether toys or not, are included there.” In our decision in the case of Barum Co. Inc. v. United States, 30 Cust. Ct. 414, Abstract 57251, we held that “the eo nomine provision for ‘dolls’ in paragraph 1513 is generic in scope, as it embraces all sorts of dolls including those that are toys.” The substance of dictionary definitions, in the light of the foregoing judicial pronouncements, is that a “doll” is a puppet, representing a person, for use either in play or as an ornament. Webster’s New International Dictionary and Punk & Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary.

The miniature plastic figure in question is a doll, within the cited legal and dictionary authorities. In appearance and in use, it is representative of a ballet dancer. The metal shaft, affixed thereto, is an appurtenance that dedicates the article to its exclusive use as a particular kind of a doll, i. e., a dancing doll, with a music box.

As above noted, tbe collector classified tbe brass tubes and blocking screws, together with tbe figurines, as dolls. It is well settled that tbe classification made by tbe collector must stand unless tbe importer establishes not only that such classification is incorrect, but that tbe classification contended for by tbe importer is correct. United States v. Adler-Jones Co., supra, and Davies Turner & Co. v. United States, 40 C. C. P. A. (Customs) 193, C. A. D. 517. Since tbe brass tubes and blocking screws do not contribute in any way to'the production of music, we are of tbe opinion that appellees have failed to sustain their contention that those items should be classified as parts of music boxes and it is accordingly unnecessary to consider whether they were properly classified as dolls.

Tbe decision of tbe United States Customs Court is reversed.

JacksoN, J., Retired, recalled to participate herein in place of Cole, J., absent because of illness.