Court Opinion

ID: 9685543
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 14:46:35.875305+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:07.561223
License: Public Domain

AMUNDSON, Justice
(dissenting).
The Phipps operate a traditional family style restaurant in Hot Springs, South Dakota, under the name of Country Corner Family Restaurant. In the operation, customers are seated at tables and served by a waiter or waitress. There are table clothes, napkins and silverware at each table. Service is offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Nelsons operate gas stations and convenience stores in Edgemont and Custer, South Dakota, as well as locations in Wyoming. At these facilities, Nelsons sell gas, diesel, cards, welding supplies, liquor, beer, wine, . groceries, automotive supplies, movie rentals, souvenir items, night crawlers and fast food. There is limited seating at their Edgemont fast food operation where they cater to the railroad employees of Burlington Northern. These outlets are operated under the name of Nelson’s Kountry Korner, and are open twenty-four hours a day.
There was a scant amount of evidence produced by Phipps regarding the issue of confusion. One example dealt with customers who issued checks for their food by wilting in “Kountry Korner” rather than “Country Corner.” But does this really show confusion on the part of these individuals? These customers obviously wanted to dine at a traditional family restaurant and they did by choosing Phipps’ restaurant. Also, the record showed some inadvertence on the part of delivery persons. In this day and age, I would dare say that most individuals and businesses encounter a receipt or delivery of something that was not ordered. In fact, one invoice in this case clearly had the Nelson name on it, but the delivery person seemed to disregard that fact. These minimal instances of alleged confusion certainly did not disclose a confusion of the ordinary provident purchaser of a family style dinner. It is obvious that these two businesses, due to the nature of their distinct operation, attempt to garner entirely different parts of the food dollar market. Wuv’s International, Inc. v. Love’s Enterprises, Inc., 208 U.S.P.Q. 736 1980 WL 30296 (D.Colo.1980).
Another factor to be considered in an infringement case is the intent of Nelsons to trade upon the Phipps’ reputation or good will. Comidas Exquisitos, Inc. v. O’Malley & McGee’s, Inc., 775 F.2d 260 (8th Cir.1985). There is no evidence in this record that Nelsons had the requisite intent in this case to profit from the Phipps’ name.
The trial court was in the best position to hear the testimony regarding the issue of confusion and it found against the Phipps. I would not hold that the trial court erred in ruling on this evidence and must respectfully dissent.