Steele v. Bulova Watch Co., Inc., 344 U.S. 280 (1952)

Steele v. Bulova Watch Co., Inc.

No. 38

Argued November 10, 1952
Decided December 22, 1952
344 U.S. 280

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

Syllabus

Under the Lanham Trade-Mark Act of 1946, 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq., a federal district court has jurisdiction to award relief to an American corporation against acts of trademark infringement and unfair competition consummated in a foreign country by a citizen and resident of the United States who purchases parts here and some of whose products, sold abroad, enter this country where they may reflect adversely on the American corporation’s trade reputation. Pp. 281-289.

(a) It is not material that the infringing trademark was affixed in a foreign country, or that the purchase of parts in this country, when viewed in isolation, did not violate any law of the United States. P. 287.

(b) American Banana Co. v. United Fruit Co., 213 U.S. 347, distinguished. Pp. 288-289.

(c) Where there can be no interference with the sovereignty of another nation, the district court, in exercising its equity powers, may command persons properly before it to cease or perform acts outside its territorial jurisdiction. P. 289.

194 F.2d 567 affirmed.

A Federal District Court dismissed a suit for injunctive and monetary relief brought by an American corporation against a citizen and resident of the United States for acts of trademark infringement and unfair competition consummated in Mexico. The Court of Appeals reversed. 194 F.2d 567. This Court granted certiorari. 343 U.S. 962. Affirmed, p. 289.