New-York tribune., 1919-09-07
Japanese Decision
Safeguards Rights
OF [. S. Industries
Supreme Court Ends Pilfer-
ing of American Trade
Mark Rights and Patented
Ideas by the NippOnese

PHILADELPHIA, Sept 6.-An i'm
portant decision by the supreme Court
CT Japan. which does not appear 70
have received the notice IN this coun-
.rv 20 which it seems entitled, vii.
be given at length in Il forthcoming
issue Of The News Bulletin Of the
PHILADELPHIA Chamber Of Commerce.
This decision. which is the result OF
twcr.~-ciaht years of litigation IN the
Jaranese courts, Is Of interest 70
ercrr American manufacturer. as Il
wIn In future protect him against un-
sc-rru.ols imitation Of. MS patented
products and trademarks by Japanese
manufacturers.
The case or which this sweeping de-
cis.ra fnrcl Was tha, g the Miller
Loci Company. Of Philadelphia against
The Crown Lock Company. of Ioklo. IN
which INC patent rights Of United
State trade men for their trade marks
are upheld under broad interpreted
ton Of tho commercial treaties be-
tween the two countries.
Ends Tarreaching Peril
"The News Bulletin Of tine Chamber
O. Commerce. prefacing its article,
points olt that for many years every
trade and commercial body ot the world
has been confronted with rising tide
o. O..uta. i...t.tlon OF widely known
higH-.rade Occidental products.
"l' made .ftle or no difference ap-
Iarclfy whether the article initiated
horo 'roi mark. Bat whenever il was
traae-,.s4le thc injury inflicted by
the imitation was doubled. The con-
sequences Cf rho lOnC-stancinE injury
have rot been borne by Western peoples
aIp.0. +. has weighed very heavily on
.ne Japanese themselves. irj juring their
reputation IN international trade to an
extent which. had it been rcrrA,ted 10
proceed. Mrs. have affected even those
h-s.-c ass ana reliable products such
"s s.s.. teas. pottcIies. lacquers and
enome.s for Which Japan has long been
famed"
The Crown Company. Of Toxic. imi-
ta'ei Tie Miller lock and q portion of
Ms Trademark. and entered in compe-
tlon with The Philadelphia concern in
Nhina. Australia and other countries.
Other concerns were similarly affected,
including the Victor Company, of Cam
den.
81 tpholds Trademark Rights
Concerning the action Of the Japan
csc supreme Court, The Bulletin will
say.
me decision. in unqualified terms,
upooidS every essential of trade mark
rights guaranteed under Japan's treaty
agreement with The United States. 1t
safeguards not only American trade
marx owners, but owners also in every
otner country having similar treaty
agreements with Japan. Il places the
spirit Of the law Of Japan on plane
equai TO that occupied by Western peo-
pies. and II affects directly and most
lavoraoly manufacturing interests in
V'olvlng annual production amounting
TO billions Of dollars.
- II may be stated briefly that the
supreme Court of Japan. in its de-
.'sion' has taken a liberal view Of the
japanese Empires trademark treaty
agreement with the United States a
view which Is in full accord with the
eV'ude OF the courts IN this country.
Every American owner and indeed.
ss'ery other owner of trademark
Suly registered in japan. is assured
bw bhow Una, the courts OF Japan Will give
nNm protection in the broad spirit of
ne treaties and the law Christian
Sdence Monitor.