CASI - Chili Appreciation Society International - Chili, Charity, & Fun
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CASI Inc. Vs Tolbert Heirs

History of Legal Suit – Use of “Chili Appreciation Society International”

After receiving a letter in July, from the heirs of the late chili author Frank X. Tolbert threating legal action against CASI using the words “Chili Appreciation Society International”, CASI filed a suit on September 1986 against the heirs of Tolbert.  San Antonio, Texas, attorney Ann Livingston said the declaratory judgment filed in state court holds that her client, CASI Inc., owns the trademark to the words -- registered with the state. Meanwhile, Tolbert's heirs claim a federal trademark on the same four words.  "Their (the Tolbert heirs') lawyer wrote us a letter in July threatening to sue us, claiming to have ownership of the trademark," Livingston said.

Dallas attorney Stephen Grimmer said that's true. He said that in October, on behalf of Tolbert's wife, Kathleen; daughter, Kathleen Tolbert Ryan; and son, Frank Jr., "We filed a motion to transfer the case to a Dallas federal court."

The case ended up in the courtroom of Lucius D. Bunton III, Chief Justice of the Western District of Texas.  On April 21, 1988 judgement was made by Judge Bunton and he entered the following findings of facts and judgement in favor of CASI, Inc. :
  • Plaintiff, C.A.S.I. -- Chili Appreciation Society International, Inc (*CASI) is a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Texas.  CASI uses "Chili Appreciation Society International," "C.A.S.I." and "CASI" as service marks to denote services it provides relating to promoting, organizing, and conducting chili making contests and events promoting chili...."
 
  • That the Commissioner of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shall certify the ownership of this registration in the name of CASI and made the appropriate entries upon the records of the patent and Trademark Office and shall be controlled thereby."

​Judge Bunton states in his Conclusions of Law:
  • "The law is well settled that future use of the marks at the issue in this case by any person or enterprise, other than the Plaintiff will be subject to the requirements of the law relating to secondary meaning and likelihood of confusion..."
  • Judge Bunton's conclusion refers to the Lanham Act : "Section 1125(a) of the Lanham Act, which provides civil liability for using a mark in commerce environment that is "likely to cause confusion" as to the affiliation or connection of the mark with another trademark, or as to the origin or sponsorship of the mark by another person."
CASI is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization  of the Internal Revenue Code-EIN-74-2330479  Contributions are deductible under section 170 of the IRS Code. We receive tax-deductible bequests,  transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106,or 2522. 
© CASI - 2025 Chili Appreciation Society International, Inc.   CLICK ​HERE FOR TERMS OF USE & COPYRIGHT NOTICE
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  • HOME
  • COOKOFFS
  • JOIN CASI / RENEW
  • SCHOLARSHIP / CHARITY
  • HISTORY & FUN
  • MEMBERS ONLY
  • GPM-2025
  • TERLINGUA CHAMPIONSHIP
    • 2024 TICC Winners
    • Become A 2025 Sponsor
    • 2025 Judges Needed
    • 2025 Vendor Application
    • 2024 TICC Poster
  • SPONSORSHIP
    • BECOME A SPONSOR
    • MEET OUR TICC SPONSORS
    • FRIENDS OF CASI PROGRAM
  • KRAZY FLATS
    • FOKF - Info
    • FOKF - Form >
      • FOKF Payment
  • Licensing
    • CASI Brand Licensing
  • HELP DESK
    • CONTACT US
    • RECOVER PASSWORD