In Search of the Trade-Mark Cases: The Nascent Treaty Power and the Turbulent Origins of Federal Trademark Law

78 Pages Posted: 16 Sep 2008 Last revised: 27 Mar 2010

See all articles by Zvi S. Rosen

Zvi S. Rosen

Southern Illinois University - Southern Illinois University School of Law

Date Written: September 16, 2008

Abstract

Chronicling the tumultuous birth of federal trademark law in America from 1860 through 1882, In Search of the Trade-Mark Cases examines how understandings of the Treaty Power, Commerce Clause, and Intellectual Property clause shifted through that period. While focused on the Supreme Court's 1879 decision holding the federal trademark code unconstitutional, the history of the acts found unconstitutional and the acts enacted subsequent to the decision for trademarks are likewise examined. Among the discoveries this yields is a greater appreciation for the importance of international treaties in the development of American trademark law, and a clearer picture of how the Supreme Court arrived at its decision that trademarks were not "writings" for purposes of the Constitution.

Keywords: Trademarks, Legal History

Suggested Citation

Rosen, Zvi S., In Search of the Trade-Mark Cases: The Nascent Treaty Power and the Turbulent Origins of Federal Trademark Law (September 16, 2008). St. John's Law Review, Vol. 83, p. 827, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1268558

Zvi S. Rosen (Contact Author)

Southern Illinois University - Southern Illinois University School of Law ( email )

1150 Douglas Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901-6804
United States

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