The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-23
EDISoN'S INVENTIONS.
TESTING THE TITLE TO THE QuADRUPLEx sYs-
TEN OF TELEaRAPHY.

TESTING THE TITLE TO The QuADRUPLEx sYs-
TEN OF TELEaRAPHY.
For long time past there has boon pending In the
courts number OF suits and counter suits brought
test the title TO Mr. Edison's quadrupIex system OF
telcgraphy. Some Of these suits have been tried and
disposed o. but others still remain on The calendars
OF the courts and the result Of the long litigation 10
thus far somewhat doubtful
Among tho numerous cases brought Is one by the
Western Union Telegraph Company against George
Harrington, Thomas A. Edison, the Atlantic and
Pacific Telegraph Company ana others, which came
before Judge Seogwick yesterday In the Superior
Court, Special Term and was argued at considerable
length a demurrer by the defendants to
the complaint. II VIII DO remembered that
last spring there was long trial before
Judge Sanford, in the Superior Court, OF suit
brought by the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Com
pany against the Western Union and Mr.. Prescott to
RESTRAIN them from getting patents Tor Edison's
invention In quadruplex, which the Western Union
cIamcd under an agreement with Edison TO make In
ventions and to give the company a the patents fer
them. The Atlantic aud Pacific Company claimed a
right adversely TO the Western Union by virtue oil
certain convcyanccs which were made by Edison anu
Harrington alter the agreement with tho western
agree as he did with the Western Union, but that
by virtue OF contracts with Harrington In 1870 and
1871 Edison was bound to the former 10 take patents
or the Inventions Tor his benefit and that Harrington
had the right under those contracts to sell them TO
whom no pleased. On tue strength Of these old con-
tracts titles were mado by Edison and Harrington,
through Jay Gould aud Samuel Miller, TO the Atanlic
aud Paclnc reegraphic Company. Subsequent 10 tn.s
tho old automatic parry, headed Dy JOSIAH f. Rely,
claimed the same inventions substantially through
HARRINGTON by virtue OF obligations on us part TO
them. THIS made a triangular contest for the same
invention made oy Edison IN duplex aud quadrupcx
tcIcgraphy. All tho parties had brought suits
agans. each other, and besides all the rosi,
Harrington anu Edison procured patent for the
quadruplex in a manner when tho Western mon, IN
tncir bill, charge TO be somewhat irregular. Har
rngton and Elison at once instituted a suit In tho
United states Circuit Court OF this city and also IN tho
United States Supreme Court at Washington TO re-
STRAIN the western Union IRON the use oil the quad
rupcx ms an infringement OF their patent lu tbis
situation oil CHAIRS the Western Union died bill ask
ing that Edison be compelled TO perform his original
agreement with the company, and as subordinate to
that, to have all the clouds upon his title removed
ana ali parties restrained IRON attempting TO enforce
their alleged unwarrapted titles against IL. Tho argu-
ment on the demurrer wns quite lengthy, ana the
points raised on both sides novel ana Interest,"
ing AT the conclusion oil the argument Judge Sedg-
wick took the papers, rescrving his decision.