Information Regarding Joseph Rodgers & Sons of Sheffield

[dognose]

An interesting trade-mark case has just been decided in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice before Mr. Justice Kay. The famous cutlery firm of Joseph Rodgers and Sons, of Norfolk Street, sought an injunction against Mr. Rottgen, a German manufacturer, to restrain him from striking a trade-mark which was a colourable imitation of that of the plaintiffs'. As a rule, the law of England seems to be framed with the express object of allowing as many criminals to escape as possible. There is no such nonsense however about the Merchandise Marks Act. The defendants in this case could plead that while Rodgers and Sons' mark was a cross and a star, their's consisted of two crosses. They might have argued too that although their label was of the same colour as that of the plaintiffs', and set out in the same manner that the letterpress upon it was different — it being no fault of theirs that the name Rottgen bore a superficial resemblance to Rodgers. The injunction was granted nevertheless, and accompanied too with some severe strictures from the judge. As a matter of fact the similarity of the two trade-marks was seriously affecting the trade of the Sheffield firm in India, where a large proportion of their business is done.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st August 1889

Trev.

[dognose]

A former battle of a similar character which Messrs. Rodgers and Sons had to fight partook somewhat of the grotesque. It must be understood that Joseph Rodgers and Sons is a gigantic concern in Norfolk street, everything about it having an air of dignity. A small cutler, however, opened a shanty not very far off, having a sign over the door with the words " Joseph Rodgers and Sons, cutlers," upon it. It was not disputed that his name might be Rodgers, and possibly it was Joseph, but it was clearly proved that the public were under the impression that they were buying the goods of the great Joseph Rodgers, when they were only getting those of the little Joseph Rodgers, and consequently the little game of the latter was summarily spoilt by a legal process.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st August 1889

Trev.

[dognose]

After a strike of sixteen weeks' duration the workmen in the pocket-knife department of Joseph Rodgers and Sons, Limited, have come to terms with their employers. The grinders, forgers, and cutlers in the other departments of the firm's business had made arrangements to "come out" in support of the pocket-knife men, when a significant hint as to caution on the part of a prominent official of the Trades Council induced the men to meet together and talk the matter over. The result was a deputation to the employers, carrying with them the terms of a proposed agreement. A long interview took place, but nothing was decided, and the matter stood over until the next day. At a further interview, when the firm was represented by Mr. Dewsnap, manager of the pocket-knife department, and by Mr. G. W. Wilson, the secretary, an agreement was arrived at upon every point but one, as to which the firm declined to give wav. The deputation having reported to another meeting of the men, returned to the works with the announcement that they were willing to meet the wishes of the masters upon the disputed point. So ends a struggle from which no one has emerged with either honour or profit.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st December 1892

Trev.