Legal Opinion
Victor Decosta v. Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc.
Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Decided June 24, 1975No. 74-1391PublishedCited by 89 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
COFFIN, Chief Judge.
Plaintiff, a dozen years ago, began this suit against the Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. and allied corporations (CBS) to seek compensation for their unauthorized use of a character concept he had developed, embodying a costume, slogan, name, and symbol. A mechanic living in Cranston, Rhode Island, his avocation had been to don an all black cowboy suit, with a St. Mary’s medal affixed to his flat crowned black hat, a chess symbol to his holster, and an antique derringer secreted under his arm, and make public appearances at rodeos and other events, meeting innumberable…
2Cases cited40 opinions
- United Steelworkers v. Warrior & Gulf Navigation Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1960
- Prima Paint Corp. v. Flood & Conklin Mfg. Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1967
- Crowell v. BensonSupreme Court of the United States · 1932
- Wilko v. SwanSupreme Court of the United States · 1953
- Bernhardt v. Polygraphic Co. of America, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1956
35 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by89 opinions
- The International Association of MacHinists and Aerospace Workers, Afl-Cio v. Winship Green Nursing CenterCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 1996
- Saratoga Vichy Spring Co., Inc. v. Orin Lehman, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation of the the State of New York and Waters of Saratoga Springs, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit · 1980
- Wimmer v. CookCourt of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · 1985
- Pignons S. A. De Mecanique De Precision v. Polaroid CorporationCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 1981
- Planetary Motion, Inc. v. Techsplosion, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit · 2001
84 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.