Case ID: app-dc_34/html/0410-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mr. Justice Robb", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

WM. A. ROGERS, LIMITED, v. INTERNATIONAL SILVER COMPANY. (1)
    Tbademabks ; Surname. •
    1. A surname is not susceptible of exclusive appropriation as. a trademark by anyone. Any man may use his own name in all legitimate ways, as the whole or a part of a corporate name. (Following Wm. A. ■ Rogers v. International Silver Oo.' 30 App. D. C. 97.) The most a court will do where, two individuals are entitled to use the same name is to correct any abuse by either of that right.
    2. The Commissioner of Patents erroneously rejects an application for the registration of a trademark for silver-plated ware consisting of the name “Rogers,” containing “1881” in numerals above and the words “Quadruple” and “New York” below, and on either side wreaths surrounding the letter “R,” on the ground of deceptive similarity to the mark of a rival concern consisting of the same word with an anchor on either side, where both parties are entitled to the use of the word, although some confusion may arise because of its common use. (Distinguishing Johnson v. Brandan, 32 App. D. C. 348.)
    3. In determining whether an opposition to the registration of a trademark should be sustained on the ground of deceptive similarity to the opposer’s mark, the fact that the opposer has taken' no steps against the applicant because of the use of the mark, and the fact that actual deception has not been shown, should be given weight. (Following Gaines v. Kneoht, 27 App. D. C. 534.)
    No. 585.
    Patent Appeals. •
    Submitted' January 11, 1910.
    Decided February 1, 1910.
    
      Hearing on an appeal from a decision of tbe Commissioner of Patents sustaining tbe opposition to tbe registration of a trade; mark.
    
      Reversed.
    
    Tbe facts are stated in tbe opinion,
    
      Mr. Charles H. Duell, Mr. Frederic P. Warfield, and Mr. Holland 8. Duell for tbe appellant.
    
      Mr. John P. Bartlett and Mr. Geo. H. Mitchell for tbe appellee.
   Mr. Justice Robb

delivered tbe opinion of tbe Court:

In this appeal appellant, Wm. A. Rogers, Limited, seeks a reversal of tbe decision of tbe Commissioner of Patents sustaining the opposition of appellee, the International Silver Co., to tbe registration of a mark consisting of tbe word “Rogers,” containing “1881” above and tbe words ■ “Quadruple” and “New York” below, and on either side wreaths surrounding tbe letter “R.”

' Tbe ground of tbe opposition is conflict between certain of appellee’s marks and appellant’s mark. Tbe facts briefly stated are these: Wm. A. Rogers, the predecessor and present manager of appellant, established a silver-plated ware business in 1881. Twenty years later he incorporated bis business. Por several years prior to. tbe filing of this opposition appellant sold goods under tbe mark for which registration is sought. The extent of these sales does not clearly appear, owing to the similarity of this mark and another mentioned in tbe testimony. In 1889 tbe appellee became tbe successor to tbe “Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co.” In 1888 appellee’s predecessor adopted and caused to be registered as one of its trademarks tbe word “Rogers,” preceded and followed by an anchor. Appellee’s predecessor also adopted as trademarks “Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co.” and “Wm. Rogers & Son.” Each of these marks has been in use by appellee, since a time antedating the date of adoption of appellant’s mark.

“Rogers” being a surname, it is not susceptible of exclusive appropriation as a trademark by anyone, since “any man may use his own name in all legitimate ways and as the whole or a part of a corporate name.” Howe Scale Co. v. Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict, 198 U. S. 118, 49 L. ed. 972, 25 Sup. Ct. Rep. 609; Wm. A. Rogers v. International Silver Co. 30 App. D. C. 97. The most the courts will do where two individuals are entitled to use the same name is to correct any abuse by either of that right. Donnell v. Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Co. 208 U. S. 267, 52 L. ed. 481, 28 Sup. Ct. Rep. 288. Appellant’s right to the use of the word “Rogers” has been judicially determined. R. W. Rogers Co. v. Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co. 17 C. C. A. 576, 35 U. S. App. 843, 70 Fed. 1017, 37 C. C. A. 358, 63 U. S. App. 782, 95 Fed. 1007.

The trademark act is-framed with a view to obviate, so far as possible, the confusion naturally resulting in the use of the same name by individuals or corporations engaged in the same line of business, for -it prohibits the registration of any mark consisting merely in the name of an individual, firm, or corporation, unless applied in some particular or distinctive manner or in association with a portrait of the individual. Each party to this proceeding having the right to use the word “Rogers,” it becomes apparent that this inquiry is narrowed to the question whether the accessories employed by applicant, or, in the language of the statute, the particular and distinctive manner in which it has made use of the word, is deceptively similar to the particular and distinctive manner in which the opposer has made use of the word. In other words, conceding the right of each to use this name, has applicant differentiated its use from that of the opposer?

Of the three marks cited by the opposer, the one nearest like that of the applicant is that containing an anchor on either side of “Rogers.” A comparison of this mark with applicant’s mark, in the light of the foregoing observations, impels us to the conclusion that these marks are not deceptively similar. It cannot be disputed that the ordinary observer would note a difference between the anchors of opposer and the wreaths inclosing the letter “R,” the numeral “1881,” “Quadruple” and “New York,” as employed by the applicant. Doubtless some confusion may arise because of the common use of “Rogers” by these two concerns, but that is a matter with which we are powerless to deal. The fact disclosed by the record, that the opposer has taken no steps against the applicant because of its use of this mark, and that actual deception has not been shown, should be given weight here. Gaines v. Knecht, 37 App. D. C. 534.

Johnson v. Brandau, 32 App. D. C. 348, cited by appellee, contains nothing inconsistent with this opinion. In that case an attempt was made to register, as an essential feature of a mark, the descriptive word “Asbestos,” and we held that since the word was nonregisterable, so also was the mark. Here “Rogers,” if applied in a particular or distinctive manner, may be registeráble. The distinction between the cases is obvious.

We rule that applicant’s mark is not deceptively similar to that of appellee, and hence that it may be registered. It follows that the decision of the Commissioner must be reversed. The clerk will certify these proceedings as by law required.

Reversed.