Case ID: f_56/html/0713-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "TOWNSEND, District Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

BATE REFRIGERATING CO. v. SULZBERGER et al.
    (Circuit Court, S. D. New York.
    June 7, 1893.)
    Patents — Tkkm—Expiration op Forktox Patent.
    Under Rev. St. § 4887, a United States patent expires with a foreign patent granted for the same invention prior to the date of the United States patent, but subsequent t.o the application therefor. Refrigerating Co. v. Gillett, 13 Fed. Rep. 533, followed.
    In Equity. Bill by the Bate Refrigerating Company against Frederick Bnlzberger and others for infringement of a patent. Judgment for defendants on their pleas.
    Paul H. Bate, for complainant.
    Miller, Beckham & Dixon, for defendants.
   TOWNSEND, District Judge.

This is a hill in equity for the alleged infringement of letters patent No. 197,314, issued to John J. Bate November 20, 1877, for an improvement in processes for preserving meats. Tbe question raised by tbe pleas is wbetber, under section 4887 of tbe Revised Statutes, a United States patent expires witb tbe date of a foreign patent, granted prior to tbe date of tbe United States patent, but subsequent to tbe application therefor. Wben tbis case came up for a bearing in tbis circuit, tbe suggestion was made by counsel tbat, as tbe precise question herein had been decided in favor of tbe defendants in other circuits, tbe case should be submitted on briefs, witb tbe understanding tbat tbe court, in conformity witb tbe rule of comity in such cases, would follow said precedents. Tbe following cases involving tbis question have been decided in favor of the defendants: Refrigerating Co. v. Gillett, 13 Fed. Rep. 553, 31 Fed. Rep. 809; Same v. Hammond, 35 Fed. Rep. 151; Huber v. Manufacturing Co., 38 Fed. Rep. 831; Pohl v. Brewing Co., 39 Fed. Rep. 783. In accordance, therefore, witb said practice, I direct tbat judgment on tbe pleas be entered for tbe defendants.