Opinion ID: 365775
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: How It Went: A Rug By Any Other Name

Text: 13 When efforts to resolve the name change dispute failed, Armstrong brought this declaratory judgment action, seeking a ruling that its proposed new corporate name did not infringe or unfairly compete with World's rights in its registered trademarks, WORLD and WORLD with a globe symbol. 1 World counterclaimed for an injunction restraining Armstrong's use of the new name and for damages and attorneys fees for violations of the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act of 1975, Ga.Code Ann. §§ 106-1201 to 1217. A jury was impaneled for a determination of World's counterclaim for damages. The jury found that World was not entitled to exemplary or punitive damages. The jury also made advisory findings of fact that Armstrong's use of the proposed name was likely to cause confusion, was not a good faith, fair, and descriptive use of the word World, and was an unfair trade practice. The District Court then made its own findings of fact and conclusions of law and enjoined Armstrong from using the proposed name. 14 The District Court held that World was entitled to injunctive relief because Armstrong carpet sold by Armstrong World Industries, Inc. would likely be confused with carpet sold by World and that therefore Armstrong's use of its proposed corporate name would infringe World's trademark rights. 2 The Court further held that Armstrong could not claim protection under the fair use defense of Section 33(b)(4) of the Lanham Act. 3 15 The Court ruled against World on the state law issue, finding that Armstrong had not passed off its goods as those of World and that no one was actually confused by the proposed name change. The Court upheld the jury's refusal to award damages to World. 16 On this appeal, Armstrong attacks the holdings adverse to it. World attacks the District Court's resolution of the state law issue. We need discuss only one of these challenges. 4