Dickey v. Mutual Film Corp.

CLARK, J. [1-3] This is an action for an injunction and an accounting. Plaintiff is a dramatic writer. Defendant is a moving picture producer. Plaintiff wrote a one-act play called “The ComeBack” which was produced on the stage first in March, 1911. It has been produced as recently as March, 1915. Defendant has since at least June, 1915, produced upon the screens a photo play called “The Come-Back.” It is not claimed that the story of the play and the photo play are similar; indeed, the sole similarity is in the title. I shall hold that although not now actually being produced, plaintiff’s play is sufficiently of value to be the subject of loss from competition, and that the name “The Come-Back” is not descriptive but fanciful, and therefore subject in a proper case to the protection of an equity court. In the first place, I do not think that the prior copyright of two dramatic compositions under a similar name affects plaintiff’s rights. The title not being subject to copyright, its use is protected under the equitable rule applicable to trade-marks; that is, priority of actual use gives priority of right to use and to protection. [610] Columbia Mill Co. v. Alcorn, 150 U. S. 460, 463, 14 Sup. Ct. 151, 37 L. Ed. 1144. Defendant’s chief defense is that the case is merely one of coincidence, and that not every case of coincidence is unfair competition, at least in the absence of fraudulent intent. I do not think that fraudulent intent is involved in this case. It is true that coincidence in title is not per se unfair competition, as witness numerous cases cited by the defendant, beginning with the Apthorp Case. Astor v. West 82d St. Realty Co., 167 App. Div. 273, 152 N. Y. Supp. 631. These cases, as I read them, are decided on the ground that no competition exists. For instance, the Apthorp Case held that there was no competition between a hotel and an apartment house. In the case of Atlas v. Street & Smith, 204 Fed. 398, 122 C. C. A. 568, 47 L. R. A. (N. S.) 1002, it was held that there was no competition between novels and moving pictures of the same titles. [4] It is clear that competition may exist between a play and a photo play, and that an injunction may arise from the mere use of a similar title I think is held by the case of Frohman v. Morris, 68 Misc. Rep. 461, 123 N. Y. Supp. 1090, Klaw & Erlanger v. General Film Co., 154 N. Y. Supp. 988, and Frohman v. Payton, 34 Misc. Rep. 275, 68 N. Y. Supp. 849. An injunction must therefore be granted in the present case. On the question of an accounting, it appears that plaintiff had submitted his play in three-act form to various theatrical managers and moving picture producers subsequent to defendant’s production, and that it had been rejécted. This is sufficient evidence of damages and loss of profits to allow an accounting. Defendant contends that where no fraud is found there can be no accounting or damages. The rule, as I read the cases, is rather that in case of innocent competition courts are reluctant to decree an accounting and damages. While not specifically finding fraud or intentional unfair competition here, I nevertheless feel that on the facts the case is one for an accounting and damages to be determined by a referee to be appointed for the purpose. Submit judgment and decree.