Court Opinion

ID: 8864085
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-26 17:58:49.809104+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:05:56.185482
License: Public Domain

SWAYNE, District Judge
The bill, answer, and exhibits in this case raise the same issues as those raised in the case of Centaur Co. v. Neathery, 91 Fed. 891, and Same v. Reinecke, Id.1001. The questions of law discussed in those cases apply to this, and the main exhibits of the labels and wrappers in which the respective parties prepared their packages, and upon which the decision of the case turns, are as follows: "Exhibit A and Exhibit B"; "Exhibit A, Complainant's Wrapper"; "Exhibit B, Respondent's Wrapper." While the issues made by the bill, answer, and Exhibits A and B, in this case, are similar to those in the cases of Centaur Co. v. Neathery, 91 Fed. 891, and Same v. Reinecke, Id. 1001, an examination of the label and wrapper used by appellee shows a studied effort to comply with the letter of the law, and at the same time avoid the spirit thereof. Appellee herein answers "that to avoid the appearance, even, of infringing upon the rights of complainant, * * * it particularly selected a bottle different in color, using flint or clear transparent, where complainant used green tint, glass; it particularly selected a label on said bottle different in color, wording, and design from the complainant's; that said bottle used by it is different in form from the bottle of the complainant") "that the wrapper adopted by defendant (Exhibit B) was made lUI dissimilar to the wrapper of complainant as, in the opinion of defend*902ant, it could adopt, and yet preserve the preparation of Castoria, and place the same before the public.” It is difficult to understand the last clause- of ¡.the above selection from defendant’s answer. Just what the similarity in color, form, and arrangement of the printed matter on the wrapper of the bottle of defendant’s Castoria had to do with, “preserving the preparation,” and “placing it before the public,” we'So not see, unless it was to obtain for defendant’s-preparation -a greater sale by deceiving the public into the impression that they were buying complainant’s goods. Nor do we find the statement true that the bottle and label were so different as -to fully notify the public that they were buying the goods of the respondent, and not those of the complainant. It is true that there is a very slight difference in the size and shape of the bottles used, that is apparent when you carefully compare the packages of complainant and respondent; hut it has been made so slight as never to be noticed without such comparison, and is such a difference, as would not be readily remembered by the ordinary purchaser. The same is true of the color or tint of the bottles and labels of the parties. It will be readily seen that respondent’s label is. on pure white paper, while that of complainant is slightly cream-tinted; hut how many purchasers of the remedy would ever notice the *903difference, unless it was especially called to their attention? And while the respondents have placed the words “Dr. Hughes” at the top of the label, instead of “900 Drops,” as used by the complainant, they have printed it in white letters on a black ground, in exactly the same size, position, and shading as used by complainant. On respondents’ label the word “Oastoria” is printed, not only in black letters on a shaded ground exactly like that of complainant, but the letters are a perfect copy in shape and position of those of complainant. At the foot of respondents’ label there is another change, in wording only, “See Directions on Label” being substituted for the words used by complainant, as follows: “At 6 months old 35 Doses—35 Cents;” but respondents have placed them in such type, position, and shading as not to be noticed by the general public. Then, respondents have replaced the signature of “Chas. H. Fletcher, New York,” used by complainant, with that of “John V. Hughes, Dallas, Texas,” in similar script, on the lower part of the label; but, again, the change is of such a size and nature as not to attract the attention of the general purchaser. All the balance of the label of respondents—the wording, type, spacing, and size—is an exact copy of that of complainant in every particular, producing the same general effect upon the general customer. Why *904any or all of these similarities are necessary to “preserve the preparation,” and “place it before the public,” is not explained in the briefs, nor was it suggested at the hearing. There are many different forms cf. bottles, and it would not be difficult to suggest innumerable forms [and combinations of type and color of paper that could not possibly be mistaken for those of complainant; yet with all the desire of respondents, as expressed in the answer, “to avoid the appearance, even, of infringing upon the rights of complainant,” they failed to discover any of them. It is true that respondents have completely changed the inscriptions and general appearance of that part of their labels that covers 'the sides and back of the bottle, and claim much credit therefor; but inasmuch as the public generally look only to the front of the label, and purchase by the general form thereof, we think these changes of but little account. • Had the same change in the general effect of the label on the front of the bottle been made by the respondents as they have :put upon the other parts of it, it is clear they could not have been suc'cessfully accused of unfair fraudulent competition in business, nor restrained from making and selling Castoria in their own way.

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*904On full consideration of the bill, answer, and exhibits in this case, we are of the opinion that respondents’ packages of the remedy have been so bottled, labeled, prepared, and put upon the market, in such form as is calculated to deceive, and does deceive, the public into the belief that they are buying the preparation manufactured and put v. by the.complainant; that they have thus infringed upon its lawful rights, and are likely to interfere with its legitimate profits in the sale of its preparation, and are guilty of unfair and fraudulent business methods ; and that respondents should therefore be restrained. The order of the circuit court refusing a preliminary injunction is reversed, and the cause is remanded, with instructions to grant a preliminary injunction as prayed in complainant’s bill, and otherwise proceed in accordance with the views expressed in this opinion, and as equity and good conscience may require.