Opinion

United States v. Oberlaender

  • 25 C.C.P.A. 24
  • 1937 CCPA LEXIS 164
Court
Court of Customs and Patent Appeals
Filed
May 29, 1937
Status
Published
Author
Bland
On the bench
Bland, Garrett, Graham, Hatfield, Lenroot
Cited by
0 cases

The opinion

DISSENTING OPINION

Bland, Judge:

I dissent from the holding of the majority that Exhibit 1 is neither an original painting in mineral colors under paragraph 1807 nor that it is not dutiable under paragraph 1547 (a)- as a copy. It seems to me that it must be one or the other, and if it is a copy it may be in mineral colors and come under paragraph 1547 (a).

Furthermore, it seems too obvious to justify extended argument that these valuable works of art. should not be assessed with a duty “of 10 cents per dozen separate pieces” as “tableware, ldtchenware, and table and kitchen utensils.” Courts may draw conclusions from proven facts and it seems anomalous to conclude that these articles were properly assessed with the duty of 10 cents per dozen separate pieces as tableware, etc. The importer protested against their classification as such and sustained his protest overwhelmingly by proving that they are works of art but, according to the majority not such as are provided for in the claimed paragraphs. If they are works of art,, and surely no one can contend that they are not, they should not be assessed as kitchenware. If they are painted “porcelain” ware they are not necessarily painted tableware, etc.

Garrett, Judge, joins in the dissent.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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