Case ID: us-ct-cl_57/html/0599-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mr. Justice McKeNNa", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

THE UNITED STATES v. BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY.
    [55 C. Cls. 534; 258 U. S. 321.]
    Judgment was rendered against the United States in the1 court below. On appeal the judgment was affirmed, and the Supreme Court decided:
    A contract of tire United States to pay for its use of a patented invention is to be implied rather than a tortious appropriation by the officers acting for the Government.
    When the Government uses a patented invention with the permission of the owner and does not repudiate his title, an implied contract to pay reasonable compensation for the use arises.
   Mr. Justice McKeNNa

delivered the opinion of the Supreme Court April 10, 1922.