Document: 329 U.S. 129 67 S.Ct. 231 91 L.Ed. 128 ALMA MOTOR CO.v.TIMKEN-DETROIT AXLE CO. et al. No. 11. Reargued Oct. 24, 25, 1946. Decided Dec. 9, [Syllabus from pages 129-131 intentionally omitted] Messrs. Thomas J. Hughes, of Detroit, Mich., and John G. Buchanan, Pittsburgh, Pa., for petitioner. Mr. William A. Strauch, Washington, D.C., respondent Timkin-Detroit Axle Co. F. Lonnett, Asst. Atty. Gen., The United States. CHIEF JUSTICE delivered the opinion Court. 1 Certiorari was granted in this case February 5, 1945, 324 832, 65 587, 89 1398, on a petition addressed to question constitutionality Royalty Adjustment Act October 31, 1942,1 Order W—3, issued by War Department July 28, 1943. We find now, however, that Circuit Court Appeals had before it, not only constitutional question, which decided, but also nonconstitutional might properly have alone served as an adequate ground dispose appeal. This non-constitutional neither considered nor decided court below, argued here. concluded, therefore, we should pass at time, vacate judgment Appeals, remand it decision any issues material 2 To explain reasons conclusion, must state history present proceedings some detail. 3 They were begun complaint District filed respondent, Timken-Detroit Company, against petitioner, Alma Motor asking declaratory their respective rights under patent held coextensive license Timken. alleged existence patent, purporting cover certain 'transfer cases', or auxiliary automotive transmissions, license, Timken authorized manufacture patented articles required pay specified royalties. It further engaged manufacturing various designs transfer cases, these once believed been covered Alma's made subject royalty payments, basis later information concluded none them covered, invalid. asked confirming conclusion. 4 answered, claiming all Timken's cases valid, estopped challenging validity, counterclaimed money unpaid 5 Following trial, findings opinion,2 entered December 2, 1942. validity patent; types (generally those denominated T—32 T—43) license; indebted royalties thereon; other T—79), outside license. indicated unless parties could agree amount so be payable, special master would appointed determine amount. 6 Shortly entered, Congress enacted Act, seeks attack primary purpose reduce States ultimately liable inventions manufactured licensee, pre-war rates appropriate volume production war-time. Whenever during war government contractor seemed excessive head department concerned, latter empowered stop payments notice licensor after hearing, fix order 'fair just' royalties, 'taking into account conditions wartime production.'3 Thereafter, collect licensee rate determined. If felt reduction unfair, his remedy suit Claims, where he recover just compensation * taking production.'4 Whatever effected inure benefit 7 notice, stopping payment Alma, 30, W—3 followed 1943, fixing zero. determination invalidity claims permits assert.5 8 In meantime, taken appeal Paragraph Court, T—79 patent. did After promulgated, moved dismiss with directions its judgment. motion predicated affidavit alone, together argument operation transferred jurisdiction matter entire Claims. countered Order, primarily working deprivation property contravention Fifth Amendment. 9 time already submitted amicus brief, moot; when filed, intervened support Order. 10 opinion6 applicability simply validity. proceeded consider both entirely valid. Accordingly, following order: 11 '* is now here ordered adjudged said be, same hereby vacated cause remanded proceed no therein until shall appear justiciable controversy again7 exists between arising out facts set forth complaint, except may, if deems such action appropriate, part remainder moot.' 12 Court's judgment, Appeals. appears party urge whether pat nt Indeed, certiorari heard 1944 term down term, pointed omission, suggested avoided first considering coverage. prior questions practice dictated sound principles judicial administration. determination. Both opposed motion. Action withheld pending itself. 13 has repeatedly ought act adjudication unavoidable. true even though presented record. two are raised, one nature, make unnecessary former will decided.8 rule guide lower courts well one. believe structure problems application case. 14 At outset confronted merits appeal, involved coverage cases. Later, problem jurisdictional nature. effect wrought power merits. reason, case, If, they controlling, relegated statutory States, 15 problem, erred. assumed But constitutional, do control disposition intended apply it. consideration constitutionality. 16 Were apply? Their terms seem depend upon subject-matter appeal—the cases—were provides 'whenever invention owner thereof *.' believes stipulated unreasonable, give 'written fact licensee.' may 'such licensee' who forbidden additional amounts licensor' Claims.9 Conversely, putative without patentee actually owner, powers disabilities arise. E en does refer T 79 such. forbids 'under' pursuant 'which embody inventions.' Again, T—79s Alma-Timken 'embody' claim, then expressly leaves remedies unaffected. 17 Consequently, T—79s, crucial issue deciding apply, necessary decide manifestly merits, not. event, course, decided. 18 thought turn actual coverage, claim hence undisputed pertinent Such construction like Smithers v. Smith, 204 632, 27 297, 51 656, Bell Hood, 327 678, 66 773, bona fide satisfy requirements federal regardless established. 19 answer language10 controlled cited refers test jurisdiction, whereas, shown, instant objective event. Furthermore, supra, condition precedent exercise jurisdiction. Unless what plaintiff rather than says stake, court's ruling often deny forum full hearing shown right relief. hand, subsequent, instances depriving danger present. 20 contends suits respect war-time immaterial. argues accomplish because June 1910, amended,11 effect. said, dismissed there not, refrained question. 21 Assuming premise correct, reach Dismissa can 1910 applies, questions, approved.12 dismissal 1942 Acts alternatively, requires latter. As indicated, sufficient reason impels transfer. 22 § sues Claims 'may avail itself defenses, general special, pleaded defendant infringement title sixty Revised Statutes, otherwise.'13 deem clear defenses include think reflects involving licenses presenting tried respects more available whenever brought there. 23 maintain T—43 79s therefore necessarily 24 point carries own refutation. Neither appealed No There litigant brings up whole.14 concerned Therefore, affecting T—32s T—43s unwarranted, approving otherwise unnecessary. 25 objects strenuously Government 'mending hold' urged brief here, remand. certainly aided abetted error. fault creating confusion. 'Petition Review' f hold unconstitutional. rehearing, passed charged allegedly inapplicable. Before returned original position. 26 much wasted earlier failure indicate, see, course followed. This, continue wrong course. principle avoiding conceived considerations traditional policy our courts.15 conformity opinion. 28 Reversed remanded. 56 Stat. 1013, 35 U.S.C.Supp. V, §§ 89—96, U.S.C.A. 89—96. Co., D.C.Del.1942, 47 F.Supp. 582. 89, 89. 90, 90. (United Intervenor), Cir., 1944, 144 F.2d 714. word 'again' deleted 1944. Siler Louisville & Nashville R. 213 175, 193, 29 451, 455, 53 753; Light 220 523, 538, 31 485, 488, 55 570; Spector McLaughlin, 323 101, 105, 152, 154, 101. See Brandeis, J., concurring Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 347, 466, 483, 80 688. 'The district exceeds sum value $3,000, (a) arises Constitution laws U.S.C. 41, 41. amended 1, 1918, 36 851, 40 705, 68, part: 'Whenever described hereafter used lawful use same, owner's recovery reasonable Crozier Fried Krupp, 224 290, 32 771; Richmond Screw Anchor 275 331, 48 194, 72 303. Section full: 'Any aggrieved section hereof, specifying maximum him, institute Courts insofar concurrent sum, any, as, added fixed order, constitute fair manufacture, use, sale, licensed production. otherwise.' Rule 73(b) Federal Rules Civil Procedure, 723c, 'notice designate Charles River Bridge Proprietors Warren Bridge, 1837, Pet. 420, 425, 553, 773.

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