Opinion ID: 369373
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Secondary Meaning for the Brut Trade Dress.

Text: 5 Saxony's argument that its liability depends upon the existence of secondary meaning associated with Brut's trade dress prior to the introduction of Bravado in 1970 is drained of vitality by the district court's finding that the plaintiff did develop secondary meaning for its total trade dress, and such secondary meaning was largely accomplished prior to defendant's entry into the market with Bravado in October 1970, Finding of Fact No. 19 (Nov. 26, 1975), and by the court's conclusion that the Brut trade dress had been shown to be distinctive and thus protectible against infringement by plaintiff's competitors. Conclusion of Law No. 1 (Nov. 26, 1975). Saxony contends that the court based its finding of secondary meaning upon a 1974 consumer survey incapable of gauging public recognition of Brut as of 1970. We conclude that the trial court properly considered indirect evidence of secondary meaning, including the extent of Faberge's advertising and sale of Brut, see HMH Publishing Co., Inc. v. Brincat, 504 F.2d 713, 718 (9th Cir. 1974), as well as the fact that Saxony had intentionally simulated the Brut trade dress in developing its packaging for Bravado, see Fleischmann Distilling Corp. v. Maier Brewing Co., 314 F.2d 149, 157 (9th Cir. 1963). The court's findings regarding disputed facts are to be upheld unless clearly erroneous. J. B. Williams Co., Inc. v. Le Conte Cosmetics, Inc., 523 F.2d 187, 190-91 (9th Cir. 1975). The existence of secondary meaning for the Brut trade dress prior to the introduction of Bravado was hotly contested at trial. The court's finding of secondary meaning for the Brut trade dress is not clearly erroneous. Therefore, we decline to reverse it. 6