Court Opinion

ID: 9303984
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-12-02 17:15:02.171493+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:13:48.630729
License: Public Domain

ARCHBALD, District Judge.1
A trade-mark, to be of any value, must be able to be protected, not only against a palpable imitation} which will rarely be attempted, but against a colorable one as well, which is just as effective for purposes of deception, and which, therefore, invites the ingenuity of those who wish to take advantage of it. Similarity, and not identity, is thus the test, and it is sufficient to make out infringement if the imitation is such that unwary purchasers are likely to be misled thereby. 28 American & Eng. Encycl. Law (2d. Ed.) 410, 411.
In the present instance the complainant, who is a packer and dealer in olives has adopted and registered the words “Don Carlos” as a trade-mark making use of it in connection with a certain brand of olives which he puts up. The defendant, who is in the same business, has adopted the name “Don Caesar” for the same purpose, and the question is whether the two conflict. It seems to me quite obvious that they do. So closely alike, indeed, are they, that I find myself at times having to think twice in order to keep clearly in mind which belongs to the one party and which to the other. Both names are Spanish, and are applied to a Spanish product, and both have the same prefix “Don,” followed by a proper name of two syllables beginning with the same letter. To the confusion so induced the color and style of label also, as well as the general dress of the respective packages, while not enough, perhaps, to make out a charge of unfair competition, unquestionably add. That people who have learned to identify the complainant’s olives by the trade-mark “Don Carlos” are likely to be deceived by that of “Don Caesar” there can be little doubt, and as this is as clear now as it can ever be made, and nothing can apparently do away with it, the complainant is entitled to an injunction at this time, without having to wait until the final hearing.
The motion for a preliminary injunction is therefore granted as to the use of the name “Don Caesar,” but is refused as to the other matters prayed for.

 Specially assigned.