Taylor v. Gillies

J. F. Daly, J. The plaintiff sought in this action to obtain an injunction against defendants restraining them from the use of the words or designation, “ Gold Medal Saleratus,” on the ground that it was plaintiff’s trade-mark for saleratus manufactured and sold by him. The relief demanded was refused by this court at special term, and this appeal is taken from the judgment entered upon that decision. The court held that the words “gold medal” were not the subject of trade-mark because they were “ common terms and not mere fanciful expressions, nor do they in any way indicate any such exclusive ownership or origin in the plaintiff or others using them in connection with articles of merchandise; ” and also on the ground "that the name indicated that a gold medal had been awarded as a prize for the saleratus, and if no such medal had been awarded to plaintiff the term would, be an imposition on the public, partaking of the character of a false representation ; and it was not asserted that any such medal had ever been awarded. The judgment below seems to be correct. The term “gold medal ” certainly implies that a medal has been awarded the manufacturer of the goods for the saleratus. If they do not mean that, the words have no signification. But such meaning is plain and common, producing a direct, sensible impression of excellence and approval by authority of some kind. They are not fanciful, having no meaning except as the designation of these particular goods. They may be' used with every known manufactured article which has ever been put in competition with rival manufactures for a prize, and obtained it. "Whenever seen or heard, they impress the sense with the idea of such a prize having been obtained. Unless it be shown that a gold medal has been awarded for the goods, the name is a false representation. It does not alter the case, that the label on the packages of “gold medal saleratus” sold by the plaintiff, contains in fine print, the statement that it is “ a most meritorious article which from the purity and perfection of its manufacture has been denominated gold medal saleratus,” because the representation is made by the prominence of the name “ gold medal saleratus,” and is not lessened [287] in effect by a statement (not by any means intended to destroy the effect of that representation) printed on the label in very fine type, and wholly disconnected with the title or trademark, which stands alone. The chief objection to the claim of proprietorship by plaintiff in the words “ gold medal ” as applied to saleratus, is that it cannot be exclusive, which should be the characteristic of all trade-marks. As has been seen, the words may be applied to any article which has received the prize of a gold medal, and also to any kind of saleratus which has received such an award of merit. The prize is intended to distinguish and single out the manufacturer and his goods which have been so approved. It may become in respect of saleratus, 4 title which a dozen persons in as many places have the right to use in by virtue of medals received. Had the plaintiff and defendant both received gold medals for saleratus, would the plaintiff, because he received his first and gave his goods the name, be entitled to the exclusive use of the words \ Clearly not, because the mark of excellence he once received has become the right of another who has the same right to vaunt the high character of his manufactures. It may be said, however, that the defendant has shown no gold medal. But it. is equally apparent that plaintiff has none, as his label above quoted shows, and if. no injunction would issue where both have medals, should it be granted where neither have, and where both are equally impostures \ The judgment should be affirmed (Batty v. Hill, Am. Trade-mark Cases, 537; Candee v. Candee, 54 Ill. 439; Fetridge v. Wells, 4 Abb. Pr. 144-156; Brown on Trade-mark, §133; Flavell v. Harrison, 19 Eng. C. L. & Eq. 15). Daly, Ch. J., and Larremore, J., concurred. Judgment affirmed.