Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/238/254/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 18:44:36+00:00

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Justia › US Law › US Case Law › US Supreme Court › Volume 238 › Geneva Furniture Mfg. Co. v. S. Karpen & Bros.
Geneva Furniture Manufacturing Company v. S. Karpen & Bros.
Where the plaintiff really makes a substantial claim under an Act of Congress, the district court has jurisdiction whether the claim ultimately be held good or bad. The Fair v. Kohler Die Co., 228 U. S. 22.
Jurisdiction is the power to consider and decide one way or the other as the law may require; it is not to be declined because it is not foreseen with certainty that the party invoking it may succeed.
Where a bill includes several causes of action, some arising under the patent laws and others on breach of contractual relations, and one of the defendants is a corporation that cannot be sued in the district without its consent, save in cases arising under the patent laws, the rule in equity respecting joinder of causes of action yields to the jurisdictional statute and, if the designated defendant objects to the jurisdiction, the bill must be dismissed, so far as that defendant is concerned, as to the causes of action not arising under the patent laws.
Whether in such a case all the causes of action may be maintained in a single bill as against the other defendants is a question of general equity jurisdiction and practice, and is not open to consideration on direct appeal to this Court under § 238, Judicial Code. Bogart v. Southern Pacific Co., 228 U. S. 137.
The facts, which involve the jurisdiction of the district court in cases arising under the patent laws of the United States, are stated in the opinion.
laws of the United States, and also between citizens of different states," and that the amount in controversy exceeds $3,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
If the suit be one arising under the patent laws the district court undoubtedly had jurisdiction, Jud.Code, § 24, par. 7 and §§ 48 and 256, but if it be not such a suit, that court was obviously without jurisdiction as respects the West Virginia company unless it chose to waive its privilege of being sued only in the district of its residence or that of the plaintiff. § 51. Appearing specially, that company objected that the suit was not one arising under the patent laws, and insisted upon its personal privilege. The objection was sustained. The other defendants, likewise appearing specially, objected that the suit did not arise under the patent laws, and could not proceed without the presence of the West Virginia company because it was an indispensable party. This objection also was sustained, and the bill was then dismissed, the decree reciting that the dismissal was for want of jurisdiction.
whether the claim ultimately be held good or bad."
Jurisdiction, as pointed out in that case, is the power to consider and decide one way or the other, as the law may require, and is not to be declined merely because it is not foreseen with certainty that the outcome will help the plaintiff. Of like import is Healy v. Sea Gull Specialty Co., 237 U. S. 479.
is not a question of federal jurisdiction within the meaning of § 238, but only one of general equity jurisdiction and practice applicable as well to state as to federal courts. Bogart v. Southern Pacific Co., 228 U. S. 137, and cases cited.
The decree of dismissal is reversed, and the cause is remanded for further proceedings in conformity with this opinion.

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