Case Name: SWITZER v. J. N. COLLINS CO.
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1927-12-05
Citations: 23 F.2d 775
Docket Number: No. 1976
Parties: SWITZER v. J. N. COLLINS CO.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter 2d Series
Volume: 23
Pages: 775–775

Head Matter:
SWITZER v. J. N. COLLINS CO.
Court of Appeals of District of Columbia.
Submitted November 17, 1927.
Decided December 5, 1927.
No. 1976.
E. T. Penwiek and E. G. Penwiek, both of Washington, D. C., for appellant.
A. C. Paul, of Minneapolis, Minn., and W. G. Henderson, of Washington, D. C., for appellee.
Before MARTIN, Chief Justice, and ROBB and VAN ORSDEL, Associate' Justices.

Opinion:
VAN ORSDEL, Associate Justice.
Appellant opposes the registration by appellee of the trade-mark "Honeymels" for use on candy. The opposer is the prior user of the mark "Buttermels" as a trade-mark for candy.
Unquestionably the words "butter" and "honey," standing alone, are descriptive; but, when joined to the suffix "mels," they are nothing more than suggestive, and arc subject to use as valid trade-marks. The suffix "mels," meaning sweets, has had a use on candy in connection with the mark "caramels" long prior to the adoption and use of opposer^ mark. Indeed, the name "caramels" is a common one, extensively employed to refer to candy mixtures of a popular kind. Both parties have borrowed this suffix, and by combination with descriptive terms have constructed legitimate trade-marks. The suffix "mels" being common to both marks, the distinctive feature is between the words "honey" and "butter." It was properly held by the Commissioner that no confusion could arise from the use of these two words in connection with the same quality of goods. With this holding we agree.
The decision of the Commissioner is affirmed,