{ "id": 5258078, "name": "Allegretti Chocolate Cream Co. et al. v. B. F. Rubel et al.", "name_abbreviation": "Allegretti Chocolate Cream Co. v. Rubel", "decision_date": "1899-07-11", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "558", "last_page": "565", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "83 Ill. App. 558" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "65 Ga. 452", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ga.", "case_ids": [ 52484 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ga/65/0452-01" ] }, { "cite": "92 Mich. 558", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mich.", "case_ids": [ 1417498 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/mich/92/0558-01" ] }, { "cite": "34 Fed. Rep. 46", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 6726829 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/f/34/0046-01" ] }, { "cite": "11 Fed. Rep. 495", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 3780813 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/f/11/0495-01" ] }, { "cite": "62 Conn. 586", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Conn.", "case_ids": [ 783983 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/conn/62/0586-01" ] }, { "cite": "29 L. R. A. 66", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L.R.A.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "143 Mass. 295", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 772328 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/mass/143/0295-01" ] }, { "cite": "50 Ga. 70", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ga.", "case_ids": [ 864878 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ga/50/0070-01" ] }, { "cite": "7 Daly, 188", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Daly", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "119 Mass. 484", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 736957 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/mass/119/0484-01" ] }, { "cite": "110 Mo. 492", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mo.", "case_ids": [ 917445 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/mo/110/0492-01" ] }, { "cite": "60 Ill. App. 372", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App.", "case_ids": [ 5158916 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app/60/0372-01" ] }, { "cite": "28 Fed. Rep. 773", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 6737251, 6737285 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/f/28/0773-01", "/f/28/0773-02" ] }, { "cite": "49 Ga. 70", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ga.", "case_ids": [ 1301775 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/ga/49/0070-01" ] }, { "cite": "55 How. Pr. 132", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "How. Pr.", "case_ids": [ 2364003 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/how-pr/55/0132-01" ] }, { "cite": "29 Fed. Rep. 95", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 3764463 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/f/29/0095-01" ] }, { "cite": "3 Mo. App. 173", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mo. App.", "case_ids": [ 551867 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/mo-app/3/0173-01" ] }, { "cite": "119 Mass. 454", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "114 Mass. 69", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 722307 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/mass/114/0069-01" ] }, { "cite": "60 Ill. App. 373", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "59 How. Pr. 356", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "How. Pr.", "case_ids": [ 4526732 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/how-pr/59/0356-01" ] }, { "cite": "76 Ill. App. 581", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App.", "case_ids": [ 5792592 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app/76/0581-01" ] }, { "cite": "177 Ill. 129", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 3154271 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/177/0129-01" ] }, { "cite": "34 Fed. Rep. 46", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 6726829 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/34/0046-01" ] }, { "cite": "143 Mass. 295", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 772328 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mass/143/0295-01" ] }, { "cite": "50 Ga. 70", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ga.", "case_ids": [ 864878 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ga/50/0070-01" ] }, { "cite": "7 Daly, 188", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Daly", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "119 Mass. 484", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 736957 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mass/119/0484-01" ] }, { "cite": "55 How. Pr. 132", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "How. Pr.", "case_ids": [ 2364003 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/how-pr/55/0132-01" ] }, { "cite": "3 Mo. App. 173", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mo. App.", "case_ids": [ 551867 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mo-app/3/0173-01" ] }, { "cite": "114 Mass. 69", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 722307 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mass/114/0069-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 823, "char_count": 16171, "ocr_confidence": 0.568, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.2161401957449166e-08, "percentile": 0.2682768377615838 }, "sha256": "120ec8eba76a7cd32f21bf5a53db425897780bf95edcdfbb5f564be6d2c64868", "simhash": "1:b74165b71f0b94c4", "word_count": 2834 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:22:35.373210+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "Allegretti Chocolate Cream Co. et al. v. B. F. Rubel et al." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Mr. Justice Horton\ndelivered the opinion of the court.\nJanuary 16, 1899, a bill in chancery was filed in the Superior Court by appellees, praying for an injunction restraining appellants from issuing and sending out the circular hereinafter quoted. January 17, 1899, the Superior Court entered an order granting a temporary injunction restraining appellants from \u201c issuing, circulating, uttering and distributing \u201d said circular. Said bill states that said circular is in the words and figures following, to wit:\n\u201c ORIGINAL\nTRADE (ALLEGRETTI) MARK.\nFRAUDS AND PIRATES.\nThe Supreme Court, in an opinion just handed down (December 21st), affirming the decisions of the. Superior and Appellate Courts, holds that B. F. Rubel, I. A. Rubel and Giacomo Allegretti, who compose the firm known as \u2018 Aliegretti & Rubel \u2019 are guilty of fraud and deception in pirating our business.\nThe Supreme Court, in its opinion, said :\n' From a careful examination of the whole record we think the chancellor below and the Appellate Court were amply justified in their finding.\u2019\nThe Appellate Court said, which is affirmed by the Supreme Court, as above:\n' The similarity shown by this record is so great as to compel the conclusion that it could only exist as the result of design and intent.\u2019\nIn speaking of Giacomo Allegretti, Rubel\u2019s stool pigeon said:\n\u2018 Only seven days after he left the employ of Allegretti Brothers (our predecessors), he advertised in the public press that he was the originator and sole possessor of the genuine process for manufacturing Allegretti chocolate creams. It would be idle to argue that this was not calculated and intended to deceive.\u2019\nThe Supreme Court winds up its decision by saying:\n\u2018 Fraud and deception having been practiced by appellants, as shown by the facts and findings herein,\" we are satisfied the decree of the court is not too far reaching.\u2019\nAs found by three courts, and the highest in the State, B. F. Rubel, I. A. Rubel and Giacomo Allegretti are pirates and frauds, who have endeavored to steal our business and to trade upon our good name by imitating our business in every way.\nWe warn all people who care for honesty, against dealing with them.\nYours respectfully,\nAllegretti Chocolate Cream Company,\n159 State St., Chicago.\n927 Broadway, Bew York.\u201d\nIt is not necessary to recite at length the .facts out of which the litigation between these parties has arisen. This court is familiar with them. In the main they will be found in Allegretti et al. v. The Allegretti Chocolate Cream. Co., 177 Ill. 129, and Rubel et al. v. same, 76 Ill. App. 581.\nIn the bill in the case at bar it is stated that appellants . changed their firm name J.ulv 18,1898, from Allegretti & Co. to Allegretti & Rubel, and use the individual names of appellants as directed by th\u00bf decree which was affirmed in 177 Ill. 129. There is now no question before this court as to whether appellees are now conducting their business in such manner as that appellants have no ground of complaint. Neither is the question now presented, as to whether the, circular set out in this bill of complaint is in law libelous. But we are called upon to decide whether a court of equity will entertain jurisdiction and enjoin the distribution of .that circular.\nThe statement in said circular as to what has been decided by the courts, and the quotations from the opinions of the Supreme Court and this court, are substantially correct. It contains no threat, no attempt to intimidate. Outside of statements as to what it is there claimed the courts had decided, and of said quotations, there is but one assertion, viz.: \u201cWe warn all people who care for honesty against dealing with them(appellees). It is not for us now to express an opinion as to whether this circular is libelous, so that a suit at law may be maintained to recover damages for its circulation.\nIt can not be said that the cases bearing upon this question are in entire accord. A careful examination of them will, however, dispel most of the apparent conflicts. The case of Kidd v. Horry, 28 Bed. Bep. 773, is very similar to the case at bar. That case was in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The opinion is by the late Mr. Justice Bradley of the Supreme Court of the United States, and Avas handed down October 9,1886. The application in that case is stated by Mr. Justice Bradley as follows (p. 774):\n\u201cWe are asked to grant an injunction in this caseto restrain the defendants from publishing certain circular letters which are alleged to be libels and injurious to patent rights and business of the complainants, and from making or uttering libelous or slanderous statements, written or oral, of or concerning the business of complainants, or concerning the validity of their letters patent, or of their title thereto, pending the trial and adjudication of the principal suit Avhich is brought to restrain the infringement of said patent. The application seems to be altogether a novel one, and is urged principally upon a line of recent English authorities, such as Dixon v. Holden, L. R., 7 Eq. 488; Thorlev\u2019s Cattle Food Co. v. Massan, 14 Ch. Div. 763; Thomas v. Williams, Id. 864, and Loog v. Bean, 26 Ch. Div. 306. An examination of these and other cases relied on convinces us that they depend on certain peculiar acts of Parliament of Great Britain, and not on the general principle of equity jurisprudence.\u201d\nAfter discussing several English acts and cases, the court proceeds thus (p. 775):\n\u201c But neither the statute law of this country nor any well considered judgment of the courts has introduced this nexv branch of equity into our jurisprudence. There may be a case or two looking that way, but none that xve deem of sufficient authority to justify us in assuming this jurisdiction. The authority of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts in the cases of Boston Dietite Co. v. Florence Mfg. Co., 114 Mass. 69, and Whitehead v. Kitson, 119 Mass. 484, is flatly against it. So also are the New York cases of N. Y. Juvenile, etc., Society v. Roosevelt, 7 Daly, 188; Brandreth v. Lance, 8 Paige, 24; Mayer v. Dick, 55 How. Pr. 132; also the Georgia case of Caswell v. Central R. Co., 50 Ga. 70, and the Missouri case of Life Ass\u2019n of America v. Boogher, 3 Mo. App. 173. We do not regard the contrary decision in Croft v. Richardson, 59 How. Pr. 356, as of sufficient authority to counteract these cases or disturb xvhat we consider to be the well established law on the subject. That law clearly is that the court of chancery will not interfere by injunction to restrain the publication of a libel, as was distinctly laid doxvn by Lord Chancellor Cairns in the case of Prudential Assur. Co. v. Knott, 10 Ch. App. 142, where he says in reference to the application for an injunction to restrain a libel calculated to injure property: \u2018 Mot merely is there no authority for this application, but the books afford repeated instances of the refusal to exercise jurisdiction;\u2019 and then refers to several authorities. If this decision has since been overruled, it is only because of the enlarged jurisdiction conferred upon the English courts by the statutes referred to, and is a standing authority as to the general laxv, independent of legislation. We do not think that the existence of malice in publishing a lib.el or uttering slanderous words can make any difference in the jurisdiction of the court. Malice is charged in almost every case of libel, and n\u00f3 cases of authority can be found, we think, independent of statute, in which the power to issue an injunction to restrain a libel or slanderous xvords, has ever been maintained, xvhether malice xvas charged or not. Charges of slander are peculiarly adapted to and require trial by jury; and exercising as we do, authority under a system of government and law, which by a fundamental article secures the right of trial by jury in all cases at the common law, and which by express statute declares that suits in equity shall not be sustained in any case where a plain, adequate and complete remedy may be bad at law, as has always heretofore been considered the case in cases of libel and slander, we do not think that we would be justified in extending the remedy of injunction to such cases. The application for an injunction must be denied, and the ancillary bill is dismissed with costs.\u201d\nIn Raymond v. Russell, 143 Mass. 295, a bill in chancery was filed to restrain the proprietors of a mercantile agency from publishing the name and business standing of the complainant. There was no charge that the representations were false, but the court states the rule in these words:\n\u201c It is not within the jurisdiction of a court of equity to restrain, by injunction, representations as to the character and standing of the plaintiff, or as to his property, although such representations may be false, if there is no breach of trust or of contract involved.\u201d\nAppellees quote at length from and rely largely upon the case of Emack v. Kane, 34 Fed. Rep. 46. That was a case in chancery wherein it was sought, as in the case at bar, to restrain the distribution of a circular. The court there held that a court of chancery would entertain jurisdiction, and issued an injunction. But the circular complained of in that case was very different from the circular now before this court. Judge Blodgett in his opinion in that case uses this language (p. 50):\n\u201c The gravamen of this case is the attempted intimidation by defendants of complainant\u2019s customers by threatening them with suits which defendants did not intend to prosecute; and this feature was not involved in Kidd v. Horry.\u201d\nKeither is that feature involved in the case at bar. Here there is no threat or attempted intimidation. In most, if not all of this class of cases, where a court of chancery has entertained jurisdiction, the gravamen has been, as stated by Judge Blodgett, different from that of the case of Kidd v. Horry.\nThe case of Everett Piano Co. et al. v. Bent, 60 Ill. App. 373, is in the question involved, very similar to the case at bar. In some respects the circular involved in that case was stronger against the party who issued it, than the one now before this court. It was there held that a court of chancery would not entertain jurisdiction. Mr. Justice Waterman, speaking for the court, said. (p. 377):\n\u201c That a court of equity can not, under its common law powers, by injunction restrain the publication of a mere libel, seems to be most in accordance with the authorities in this country, as well as in England. Boston Dietite Co. v. Florence Mfg. Co., 114 Mass. 69; High on Injunctions, Sections 1015-1093.\u201d\nWe fully concur in the statement that the rule as expressed by Mr. Justice Waterman is in accord with the authorities in this country, and also with the authorities in England prior to and when not controlled by the Judicature Act of 1873.\nThe circular complained of in the case at bar is not more or greater than a \u201c mere libel.\u201d (As to whether it is a libel we express no opinion.)\nIt follows from what we have said and the cases cited, that we are of opinion that a court of chancery has no jurisdiction to enjoin the distribution of the circular in question.\nThe judgment of the Superior Court is reversed and the cause remanded. That court will enter an order dissolving \u25a0 the preliminary injunction. Reversed and remanded.", "type": "majority", "author": "Mr. Justice Horton" } ], "attorneys": [ "Darrow, Thomas & Thompson, and Douglas C. Gregg, attorneys for appellants.", "Clyde E. Marsh, attorney for appellees," ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "Allegretti Chocolate Cream Co. et al. v. B. F. Rubel et al.\n1. Libels\u2014Injunction to Restrain the Publication of.\u2014A court of chancery will not interfere by injunction to restrain the publication of a libel.\n3. Injunctions\u2014Equity Jurisdiction to Restrain Libels.\u2014A court of equity can not, under its common law powers, by injunction, restrain the publication of a mere libel.\nBill for Injunction.\u2014Trial in the Superior Court of Cook County; the Hon. Farlin Q. Ball, Judge, presiding. Decree for complainants; appeal by defendants.\nHeard in the Branch Appellate Court at the October term, 1898.\nReversed and remanded.\nOpinion filed July 11, 1899.\nDarrow, Thomas & Thompson, and Douglas C. Gregg, attorneys for appellants.\nThat a court of equity can not, under its common law powers, by injunction, restrain the publication of a mere libel, seems to be most in accordance with the authorities in this country, as well as in England. Boston Dietite Co. v. Florence Mfg. Co., 114 Mass. 69; Newell on Libel and Slander (2d Ed.), 246a, 246b; High on Injunctions, Sections 1015-1093; Whitehead v. Kitson, 119 Mass. 454; Life Association of America v. Boogher, 3 Mo. App. 173; Baltimore Car Wheel Co. v. Bemis, 29 Fed. Rep. 95; Mauger v. Dick, 55 How. Pr. 132; Singer Mfg. Co. v. Domestic Sewing Machine Co., 49 Ga. 70.\nIn the absence of statutory provision conferring such jurisdiction, the question is so fully and clearly discussed in the leading decisions that we no more than cite them: Prudential Assurance Co. v. Knott, L. R., 10 Ch. 142; Boston Dietite Co. v. Florence Manufacturing Co., 114 Mass. 69; Kidd v. Horry, 28 Fed. Rep. 773; Everett Piano Co. v. Bent, 60 Ill. App. 372. See also Clark v. Freeman, 11 Beavan Rep. 112; Flint v. Hutchinson Smoke Burner Co., 110 Mo. 492; Baltimore Car Wheel Co. v. Bemis, 29 Fed. Rep. 95; Dicks v. Brooks, L. R., 15 Ch. Div. 22-29; Halsey v. Brotherhood, L. R., 19 Ch. Div. 386; Whitehead v. Kitson, 119 Mass. 484; N. Y. Juvenile, etc., Society v. Roosevelt, 7 Daly, 188; Brandreth v. Lance, 8 Paige, 24; Mauger v. Dick, 55 How. Pr. 132; Caswell v. Central R. R. Co., 50 Ga. 70; Life Ass\u2019n of America v. Boogher, 3 Mo. App. 173; Singer Co. v. Domestic Co., 49 Ga. 70; Raymond v. Russell, 143 Mass. 295; De Wick v. Dobson, 46 N. Y. Supp.; Reyes v. Middleton, 29 L. R. A. 66-68; Mead v. Stirling, 62 Conn. 586.\nThe recent English cases, such as Dixon v. Holden, L. R., 7 Eq. 488; Thorley\u2019s Cattle Food Co. v. Massan, 14 Ch. Div. 763; Thomas v. Williams, Id. 864, and Loog v. Bean, 26 Ch. Div. 306, depend on certain peculiar acts of Parliament of Great Britain and not oh the general principle of equity jurisprudence.\nSo it may be regarded as well settled that a court of equity will never lend its aid by injunction to restrain the libeling or slandering of title to property where there is no breach of trust or contract involved, but that in such cases the remedy, if any, is at law, and that the alleged insolvency of the libelant in such cases will not of itself authorize the interference of a court of equity. Boston Dietite Co. v. Florence Mfg. Co., 114 Mass. 69; Wetmore v. Scovell, 3 Edward\u2019s Ch. (N. Y.) 523; Brandreth v. Lance, 8 Paige, 24; Mauger v. Dick, 55 How. Pr. 132; Life Ass\u2019n of America v. Boogher, 3 Mo. App. 173; Singer Mfg. Co. v. Domestic Sewing Machine Co., 49 Ga. 70; Clark v. Freeman, 11 Beavan, 112; Seeley v. Fisher, 11 Sim. 581; Prudential Assurance Co. v. Knott, L. R., 10 Ch. App. 142.\nClyde E. Marsh, attorney for appellees,\nDow, Walker & Walker, of counsel, contended that inasmuch as the appellant and its officers have submitted this cause to the court and the court has passed on the respective rights of the parties and entered a decree fixing the manner in which the firm name of Allegretti & Rubel should be used, and that the court has also passed on the question affirmatively that Allegretti & Rubel are using their firm name in compliance with the decree of June 1, 1897, all of which is set out in the bill of complaint, the publication and distribution of the circular complained of, by reason of the fact that the original case is at an end and the court has lost jurisdiction to enter any orders therein, should be enjoined as a trade libel and as unfair competition in the suit at bar, and appellees rely on the following cases: William Rogers Mfg. Co. v. Rogers & Spurr Mfg. Co., 11 Fed. Rep. 495; Emack v. Kane et al., 34 Fed. Rep. 46; Grand Rapids School Furniture Co. v. The Haney School Furniture Co. et al., 92 Mich. 558; White v. Mellin, 64 L. J. Rep. (N. S.), 308; Bell & Company v. The Singer Mfg. Co., 65 Ga. 452; Collard v. Marshall, Vol. 1, Law Reports, 1892 (Chan. Div.) 571; Thorley\u2019s Food for Cattle Company v. Massam, 41 Law T. Rep. (N. S.), 543; J. W. Thorley Cattle Food Company v. Massam, 42 Law T. Rep. (N. S.) 851." }, "file_name": "0558-01", "first_page_order": 562, "last_page_order": 569 }