Case Name: Samuel Shangold, Plaintiff, v. Bert S. Berson, Defendant
Court: New York Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1925-02-10
Citations: 125 Misc. 646
Docket Number: 
Parties: Samuel Shangold, Plaintiff, v. Bert S. Berson, Defendant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 125
Pages: 646–647

Head Matter:
Samuel Shangold, Plaintiff, v. Bert S. Berson, Defendant.
Supreme Court, Kings County,
February 10, 1925.
M. M. Gewertz, for the plaintiff.
J. A. Radeloff, for the defendant.

Opinion:
Hagarty, J.:
The parties formed a copartnership in 1922, and conducted a retail shoe business under the flame of " Bershan's," at No. 141 West Thirty-third street, Manhattan, until 1924, when the copartnership was dissolved. Under the dissolution agreement plaintiff retained the trade name, the store, the lease of the store and the good will of the business. The dissolution agreement further provided that defendant should not engage in a similar business upon certain designated streets in the immediate vicinity. It seems that in the course of business a list of names and addresses of customers was made and kept for mailing purposes. The defendant has since opened a " shoe salon " at Broadway and Ninetieth street, Manhattan, well beyond the restricted area, under the name " Bert Berson." At the opening, defendant mailed circular letters calling attention to his previous connection with " Bershan's," and advising that the recipient might confidently look to this " new salon " for the " most authentic footwear fashions of character," where the defendant will dedicate himself " to the higher ideals of service to meet your every preference " in shoes. Plaintiff complains because six of the old customers, one of whom is engaged to be married to plaintiff's brother, received this circular letter. The plaintiff's mailing list concededly contains 12,000 names. I do not think this shows an encroachment upon the good will of the old firm, especially since defendant denies that he took a copy of the list or used it for mailing purposes. Further, the notice specifically calls the reader's attention to the fact that defendant's store is new, and makes reference to defendant's previous connection with " Bershan's." Plaintiff also complains that defendant's name is not " Bert " Berson, but that it is " Samuel B." Berson, and that the assumed name is meant to deceive. Defendant states in his affidavit that " Bert " is his true name, and the fact remains that the defendant is sued in this action as " Bert S." Berson. The old firm name, now used by the plaintiff, is evidently a contraction of the names of the parties, and if the defendant had intended to deceive, his surname alone, to which he has an unquestioned right, would be more likely to accomplish the purpose. Motion denied, with ten dollars costs.