Hmh Publishing Co., Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and Playboy Clubs International, Inc., a Delaware Corporation v. Victor Brincat

Caution

504 F.2d 713

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitNovember 20, 197472-1728California4,247 words

Opinion

Sneed, J.

Before BROWNING and SNEED, Circuit Judges, and SHARP, District Judge.

The present appeal attacks a judgment entered by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California in which it was held that appellant’s use of the terms “Playboy” and “Bunny” in conjunction with his various businesses constituted trademark infringement and unfair competition. HMH Publishing Co., Inc. and Playboy Clubs International, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary (hereinafter referred to collectively as HMH), are Delaware corporations with their offices and principal places of business in Chicago, Illinois. Victor Brincat, an individual, is a resident of the State of California. Jurisdiction of the district court was founded upon 28 U.S.C. §§ 1338 and 1332.

HMH Publishing Co., Inc. is the publisher of Playboy magazine and the owner of federal trademark registrations for the marks “Playboy” and “Bunny” as trade and service marks. 3 In addition to its publishing business, HMH has, directly or through subsidiary and related companies, engaged in a wide variety of other business activities under the mark “Playboy.” Playboy Clubs International, Inc., under a controlled license from…

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Parties

HMH PUBLISHING CO., INC., a Delaware Corporation, and Playboy Clubs International, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
Plaintiff
Victor BRINCAT
Defendant

Judges

Sneed

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