Switzerland Assn. v. Horne's Market, 385 U.S. 23 (1966)

U.S. Supreme Court

Switzerland Assn. v. Horne's Market, 385 U.S. 23 (1966) Switzerland Cheese Association, Inc. v. E. Horne's Market, Inc.

No. 42

Argued October 17, 1966

Decided November 7, 1966

385 U.S. 23

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE FIRST CIRCUIT

Syllabus

Petitioners sought a preliminary and permanent injunction in this trademark infringement suit. Following joinder of issues before trial, petitioners filed a motion for summary judgment granting a permanent injunction, which the District Court denied because of unresolved factual issues. The Court of Appeals held that the order denying summary judgment was not an "interlocutory" one under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1), which provides for an appeal from an interlocutory order "refusing" an injunction, and dismissed the appeal.

Held: since the denial of the motion for summary judgment related only to pretrial procedures, and not to the merits, it was not "interlocutory," and therefore not appealable under § 1292(a)(1).

MR. JUSTICE DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of the Court.

Petitioners brought this suit for trademark infringement and unfair competition under the trademark laws. 60 Stat. 427, 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq. They sought a preliminary injunction during the pendency of the action, a permanent injunction, and damages. After issue was joined, petitioners moved for a summary judgment granting a permanent injunction and awarding damages against respondent. The District Court could not say that there was "no genuine issue as to any material fact"

Page 385 U. S. 24

within the meaning of Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which governs summary judgments, and accordingly denied the motion. Petitioners appealed, claiming that order to be an "interlocutory" one "refusing" an injunction within the meaning of § 1292(a)(1) of the Judicial Code, 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1). [Footnote 1]

The Court of Appeals held that the order denying the motion for a summary judgment was not an "interlocutory" one within the meaning of § 1292(a)(1), and dismissed the appeal for want of jurisdiction. 351 F.2d 552. We granted certiorari because of a conflict between that decision and those from the Second Circuit. See, e.g., Federal Glass Co. v. Loshin, 217 F.2d 936. [Footnote 2]

Unlike some state procedures, federal law expresses the policy against piecemeal appeals. See Baltimore Contractors, Inc. v. Bodinger, 348 U. S. 176. Hence, we approach this statute somewhat gingerly, lest a floodgate be opened that brings into the exception many pretrial orders. It is earnestly argued, however, that, although this order denied a permanent injunction, it was nonetheless "interlocutory" within the meaning of § 1292(a)(1) because the motion for summary judgment did service for a motion for a preliminary injunction (see Federal Glass Co. v. Loshin, supra, at 938), and that therefore "interlocutory" must also include a denial of a permanent injunction.

Page 385 U. S. 25

We take the other view not because "interlocutory" or preliminary may not at times embrace denials of permanent injunctions, but because the denial of a motion for a summary judgment because of unresolved issues of fact does not settle, or even tentatively decide, anything about the merits of the claim. It is strictly a pretrial order that decides only one thing -- that the case should go to trial. Orders that in no way touch on the merits of the claim, but only relate to pretrial procedures, are not, in our view, "interlocutory" within the meaning of § 1292(a)(1). We see no other way to protect the integrity of the congressional policy against piecemeal appeals. [Footnote 3]

Affirmed.

MR. JUSTICE HARLAN would affirm the judgment below on the basis of the reasoning set forth in Judge Waterman's opinion for the Second Circuit in Chappell & Co., Inc. v. Frankel, 367 F.2d 197.

MR. JUSTICE STEWART concurs in the result.

[Footnote 1]

That section provides:

"(a) The courts of appeals shall have jurisdiction of appeals from:"

"(1) Interlocutory orders of the district courts of the United States . . . or of the judges thereof, granting, continuing, modifying, refusing or dissolving injunctions, or refusing to dissolve or modify injunctions, except where a direct review may be had in the Supreme Court."

[Footnote 2]

Subsequent to the grant of certiorari in this case, the Second Circuit, en banc, reversed its position and held that such an order is not appealable. Chappell & Co., Inc. v. Frankel, 367 F.2d 197.

[Footnote 3]

As Judge Charles E. Clark said, in dissent, in Peter Pan Fabrics, Inc. v. Dixon Textile Corp., 280 F.2d 800, at 805-806:

"A district judge's orders advancing a case to trial ought not to be critically examined and reexamined by the cumbersome method of appeal before he has approached the stage of adjudication. . . . I believe this an intolerable burden for us, an improper and uncertain interference with trial court discretion, and a confusing invitation to indiscriminate appeals in the future -- all contrary to settled federal law against piecemeal appeals."

Id. at 805, 806.