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Canal Co. v. Clark

80 U.S. 311 (1872)

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Canal Co. v. Clark

United States Supreme Court
80 U.S. 311 (1872)

Facts

Canal Company (Canal) (plaintiff) was one of the first coal producers from Pennsylvania’s Lackawanna Valley. Canal marketed and sold its coal under the name Lackawanna coal, which it claimed as a trademark. However, all coal taken from the Lackawanna Valley, whether or not it was mined or sold by Canal, has long been known as Lackawanna coal, and all coal from the Lackawanna Valley is of the same quality and has the same general appearance. Canal sued Clark (defendant) seeking to preclude him from using Lackawanna Valley to describe his coal, which he did not obtain from Canal. The circuit court dismissed Canal’s complaint. Canal appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Strong, J.)

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