The Continental Title and Trust Company was incorporated Feb. 1, 1898.
The Continental Title and Trust Company merged with The Equitable Trust Company on Feb. 16, 1912, and the business of the two companies has continued since that time under the title of the Continental-Equitable Title and Trust Company.
On Sept. 11, 1925, the defendant was chartered as “The Equitable Trust Company of Philadelphia” for the purpose of conducting a business similar in character to that carried on by the Continental-Equitable Title and Trust Company.
The bill in equity in this case was filed by the Continental-Equitable Title and Trust Company, praying for an injunction to restrain the defendant, “The Equitable Trust Company of Philadelphia,” from doing business under the name or corporate title of “The Equitable Trust Company of Philadelphia.”
An answer was filed, averring that The Equitable Trust Company was not the plaintiff and no longer existed in law or in fact, and that the “Continental-Equitable Title and Trust Company” was a different corporation easily distinguishable from “The Equitable Trust Company of Philadelphia.”
A replication was filed, and the case proceeded to trial.
Witnesses were heard and the chancellor found as a fact that, upon the merger of the two corporations, the “Continental-Equitable Title and Trust Company” became the successor to and possessor of all rights, privileges and franchises previously vested in or belonging to each of the merged companies; that, prior to the merger, “The Equitable Trust Company” was made trustee under certain corporate trusts and mortgages, and interest coupons payable thereunder have been presented to and paid by the plaintiff, and it is highly probable that coupons will be deposited for collection from time to time as they fall due in banks in this city and elsewhere; that the “Continental-Equitable Title and Trust Company” is generally recognized and known by
The chancellor found as a fact that the use by “The- Equitable Trust Company of Philadelphia” of its corporate title will tend to produce confusion in the mind of the public, and that the natural tendency of such use, irrespective of the intent of the defendant, will be to injuriously affect the identity and interests of the plaintiff; and, as a conclusion of law, that the appropriation by defendant of the name “Equitable Trust Company of Philadelphia” is a violation of the rights of the “Continental-Equitable Title and Trust Company,” which should be enjoined by reason of the confusion it will create in the minds of the public and people dealing with plaintiff, and as likely to deprive plaintiff of business which it would otherwise obtain.
Counsel was directed to prepare a form of decree, which was subsequently prepared, submitted to the chancellor, approved by him and filed as the decree nisi.
Defendant filed fourteen exceptions.
The first exception is to the action of the trial judge in permitting counsel to prepare and present a form of decree in conformity with the findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Rule 73 of the Rules of Equity Practice directs: “When a cause is ripe for a decree, it shall be entered by the prothonotary, as of course, in the form prepared by the court, if any; otherwise it shall be drawn by counsel for the successful party.”
The second exception is directed to the failure of the prothonotary to notify defendant of the filing of the decree. Defendant was notified and ample opportunity was afforded him to object or except to the form of the decree.
The third exception is also directed to the failure to give formal notice of the entry of the decree, but it is admitted that counsel of record for the defendant received a letter from counsel for plaintiff, with a copy of the decree enclosed.
The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh exceptions object that there is no basis in the findings of fact and conclusions of law upon which to rest the injunction against the use by defendant of the word “Equitable” as decreed in paragraph one of the decree nisi.
The facts found by the chancellor, based upon the evidence submitted to him, warranted the injunction to afford plaintiff the relief to which it was entitled. It was proper to enjoin defendant from “doing any business under the name of, or corporate title of The Equitable Trust Company of Philadelphia, or using the word ‘Equitable’ in any combination with other words in its corporate title.” It was the word “Equitable” that the chancellor found created confusion and interference with the business conducted by the plaintiff.
The tenth exception objects to the finding as a fact that there has been confusion in the delivery of important official communications through the mail. This finding was supported by specific evidence proving the finding of the chancellor.
The eleventh exception objected to the finding of fact that plaintiff, by virtue of its rights as successor to The Equitable Trust Company, states and files accounts in the Orphans’ Court for The Equitable Trust Company. This fact was also proved by the testimony.
The twelfth exception objected to the finding of fact that the use by defendant of the name The Equitable Trust Company of Philadelphia resulted in confusion in the delivery and receipt of mail. This finding was supported by the uncontradicted evidence.
The thirteenth exception objected to the finding of fact that the similarity of the names would tend to confusion in the presentation for payment of coupons detached from bonds in which the office of The Equitable Trust Company is designated as the place of payment. There was no testimony offered to refute this finding.
The fourteenth exception objects to the form of the decree nisi. There is nothing in the decree that is not necessary under the facts proved to protect the rights of the plaintiff and its business.
These exceptions are dismissed.
The eighth, ninth and ninth and a-half exceptions object to that part of the discussion of the chancellor referring to a change in the title of the defendant after the present proceeding had been instituted. It appears from the record that defendant attempted to introduce this fact by filing an amended answer to the bill in equity, and that plaintiff moved to strike off the amended answer, which motion was granted.
The chancellor found there is nothing to prevent defendant from reamend-ing its new name to its old title, for there has not been filed of record any
These exceptions state in another form exceptions which are included in other exceptions heretofore considered and are not sustained.
And now, to wit, Jan. 9, 1928, the exceptions filed by defendant are dismissed.
