American Visuals Corporation v. Holland, 115

Decision Date02 February 1955
Docket NumberDocket 23207.,No. 115,115
Citation219 F.2d 223
PartiesAMERICAN VISUALS CORPORATION, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Frederick A. HOLLAND and Sam Schwartz, Defendants-Appellees.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Second Circuit

Socolow, Stein & Seton, New York City, Monroe E. Stein and Charles B. Seton, New York City, of counsel, for appellant.

Mallin & Gross, New York City, Armand E. Lackenbach and Burton Perlman, New York City, of counsel, for appellees.

Before SWAN and MEDINA, Circuit Judges, and DIMOCK, District Judge.

PER CURIAM.

The granting or refusing of an injunction pendente lite is ordinarily a discretionary matter for the district judge, whose decision will not be reversed unless an abuse of discretion is apparent. Meccano, Ltd. v. John Wanamaker, 253 U.S. 136, 141, 40 S.Ct. 463, 64 L.Ed. 822; Huber Baking Co. v. Stroehmann Bros. Co., 2 Cir., 208 F.2d 464, 465, 467; Aeolian Co. v. Fischer, 2 Cir., 29 F.2d 679, 681; Behre v. Anchor Ins. Co., 2 Cir., 297 F. 986, 991. We see no such abuse in the case at bar.

The motion was heard upon supporting and opposing affidavits and the copies, attached to the complaint, of plaintiff's pamphlet, "Killer in the Streets," and the defendants' pamphlet, "It Can't Happen to Us." Each pamphlet deals pictorially in cartoon style with three common types of highway accident resulting from careless driving by members of a family. Only the expression of ideas is copyrightable, and Judge Dawson was of opinion 126 F. Supp. 515 that there was not "sufficient similarity in the execution of the work" to show infringement. The pictures in the accused pamphlet are different from, and superior to, those of the plaintiff's pamphlet. Even if some of the words ascribed to the pictured characters are sufficiently similar to suggest plagiarism, as to which it is unnecessary to express an opinion, the denial of a temporary injunction was proper, because the affidavits raise a question as to the validity of plaintiff's copyright on the ground that its pamphlet, under a different title, had been dedicated to the public by prior publication without any copyright notice. Furthermore, the affidavits do not show that money damages will not be an adequate remedy or that plaintiff will suffer irreparable injury if a temporary injunction is denied. With respect to the counts alleging unfair competition and misuse of confidential information, there are disputed questions of fact decision of which should...

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24 cases
  • Carroll v. Associated Musicians of Greater New York
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Southern District of New York
    • 25 Junio 1962
    ...discretion of the district judge whose decision will not be reversed unless an abuse of discretion is apparent. American Visuals Corp. v. Holland, 2 Cir., 1955, 219 F.2d 223." Joshua Meier Company v. Albany Novelty Mfg. Co., 2 Cir.1956, 236 F.2d 144, 146. It is also a general rule that the ......
  • Salinger v. Colting
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Second Circuit
    • 30 Abril 2010
    ...merits. If that can be demonstrated, a preliminary injunction is the expected remedy.” (footnotes omitted)). But see Am. Visuals Corp. v. Holland, 219 F.2d 223 (2d Cir.1955) (affirming denial of injunction because, among other reasons, plaintiff failed to show that money damages would be in......
  • FIRST AMER. ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, INC. v. Joseph Markovits Inc.
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Southern District of New York
    • 24 Marzo 1972
    ...since existence of these questions does affect plaintiffs' ability to demonstrate a strong case on the merits. American Visuals Corp. v. Holland, 219 F.2d 223 (2d Cir. 1955). It may also be informative to evaluate the equities as they relate to the issuance of a preliminary injunction, shou......
  • Geo-Physical Maps v. Toycraft Corporation
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Southern District of New York
    • 16 Mayo 1958
    ...pending the determination of this action. See Joshua Meier Co. v. Albany Novelty Mfg. Co., 2 Cir., 236 F.2d 144; American Visuals Corp. v. Holland, 2 Cir., 219 F.2d 223; Hamilton Watch Co. v. Benrus Watch Co., 2 Cir., 206 F.2d 738; American Code Co. v. Bensinger, 2 Cir., 282 F. 829; Inge v.......
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