Throughout the course of my research I have seen references for Lane Bottling Works / Lane's Gold Seal Ginger Ale of Sioux City, Iowa but until just recently didn't know much about them nor what time period they operated in. But now I see where it was established in 1900. I can't say for certain, and still looking for other information, but this might have something to do with Gold Seal Ginger Ale changing it's name to Goldelle. Link to 1900 date ... (scroll down) http://freepages.books.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cooverfamily/siouxcity/sioux_22.htm
I'm still searching to see when the Lane Bottling Works first introduced Gold Seal Beverages, but based on this bottle style and sign, I think its safe to say they used the term Gold Seal at least as early as the 1930s and possibly even earlier. There is no question that Lane Bottling Works was in operation in 1910, but I'm just not sure when they first used the words Gold Seal. Gold Seal Beverages was not just a ginger ale but also came in other flavors. I do not know the dates for this bottle and sign. The bottle is embossed on the shoulder with "Gold Seal"
P.S. My assumptive guess is, had it been Lane's Gold Seal who infringed on another brand by a similar name, that it would have been Lane's who disappeared from the market place and not the other brand. But its certain that Lane's Gold Seal survived well into the 1950s and possibly even into the 1970s. I cannot find any indication where this ever went to court - but it does appear the Coca Cola related Gold Seal Ginger Ale only lasted about two years between 1908 and 1910 and then was changed to Goldelle.
Well I would guess your assumptions are right!...Coca-Cola realized the problem, maybe even tried to buy the name outright from them and they refused, not likely though it would have been cost prohibitive and less expensive to just change the name. But alas the Gold Seal went on in Canada because there was no Lane's Gold Seal registered here.Fascinating indeed!....that has to be it Bob, just makes good sense to me.
I can't say for certain, but I'm guessing this Lane's straight-side paper label bottle predates the Lane's deco-style bottle I posted earlier. From ... The Sioux City Journal ~ Iowa ~ July 3, 1930