Rosenburg Bros. v. Wetherby-Kayser Shoe Co.

Graham, Presiding Judge,

delivered the opinion of the court:

On March 16, 1926, the appellee, Wetherby-Kayser Shoe Co., presented its application to the Patent Office for the purpose of registering its trade-mark “ Fashion Lane.” Afterward, on July 3, 1926, an oppostion to the registration of said proposed trade-mark was filed by Rosenberg Bros. & Co., the appellant. It appears in said opposition that the appellant is the registered owner of the following three registrations, No. 130566, dated April '27, 1920, No. 131225, dated May 4, 1920, and No. 160277, dated October 17, 1922, each of said registrations covering men’s coats, vests, and pants.

The first of these registered trade-marks consists of the words “ Fashion Park Clothes,” the word “Park ” being superimposed upon a small cut or representation of two persons on horseback. The second consists of the Avords “Fashion Park ” upon a shield shaped background over Avhich words appear the figure of two persons on horseback. The third consists of words “ Tailored at Fashion Park,” surmounted by a similar cut representing two persons on horseback. The applicant and appellee here is attempting to register his trade-mark consisting of the two words “ Fashion Lane ” to be xised on men’s, women’s, and children’s footwear, namely, shoes, slippers, mules, and spats of leather, rubber, fabric, or combinations thereof. The examiner of interferences and the commissioner both held that the opposition should be dismissed, and from the decision of the commissioner the appellant brings the case here.

Certain evidence was taken before the examiner of interferences in this matter. From this evidence it fairly appears that the appellant manufactures large quantities of clothing upon which it uses its registered marks, and which clothing is sold throughout the United States in clothing and furnishing stories; that it has been using the trade-mark “ Fashion Park ” since January 1,1915, and has carried on an extensive and widespread campaign of advertising by means of which it has advertised its said trade-marks throughout the trade; that 98 per cent of the dealers who sell applicant’s goods sell, also, shoes, hats, neckwear, and other similar furnishings; that appellant’s goods are also sold in Los Angeles, Caiif., where the appellee conducts a large store for the sale of its goods.

As we view the matter, .the only -question necessary to be determined on this record is whether the trade-mark of appellee, which it proposes to register, so nearly resembles the registered trademarks owned and used by the appellant as to be likely to cause confusion or mistake in the mind of the public, or to deceive purchasers.

In considering this matter it will be borne in mind that the goods upon which the opposer uses its trade-marks are men’s coats, vests, pants, and overcoats, and that the goods upon which the appellee applicant uses its mark are men’s, women’s and children’s footwear, such as shoes, and so forth. Whether these be considered goods of the same descriptive properties or not, their similarity or lack of similarity is a very proper matter to be considered in determining whether such confusion or mistake in the mind of the public is liable to occur by the registration of the appellant’s mark.

The principal point of similarity between the respective marks is the use of the word “Fashion.” It has been held, and we think properly so, that this word being descriptive, there can be no exclusive right to its use. Franklin Knitting Mills v. Kassman & Keesner, 56 App. D. C. 348.

The only remaining question is whether the words “ Park ” and “ Lane ” in combination with the word “ Fashion,” and the other elements of the respective marks, as applied to the various goods up.on which they are used, are so similar as to cause confusion. We do not think so. The proposed mark of appellee is the two words “ Fashion Lane,” while the marks of opposer, in addition to the words used, are each accompanied by a distinctive cut of two persons on horseback. This design is of such a character as to strike the eye of even the casual observer, at first glance. Nor is there, in our opinion, such a similarity between the words “ Park ” and “ Lane ” as justifies, in this case the sustaining of this opposition.

The decision of the commissioner is affirmed.