Document: 340 U.S. 147 71 S.Ct. 127 95 L.Ed. 162 GREAT ATLANTIC & PACIFIC TEA CO.v.SUPERMARKET EQUIPMENT CORP. et al. No. 32. Argued Oct. 18, 19, 1950. Decided Dec. 4, Rehearing Denied Jan. 8, 1951. See 918, 349. Mr. John H. Glaccum, New York City, for petitioner. Townsend F. Beaman, Washington, D.C., respondents. Justice JACKSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Two courts below have concurred in holding three patent claims to be valid,1 and it is stipulated that, if valid, they been infringed. The issue, resolution which we granted certiorari,2 whether applied correct criteria invention. We hold that not, by standards appropriate a combination these are invalid. 2 Stated without artifice, assert invention cashier's counter equipped with three-sided frame, or rack, no top bottom, which, pushed pulled, will move groceries deposited within customer checking clerk leave them there when back repeat operation. It kept on guides. That resultant device words as claimed, speeds his way, reduces costs merchant, has widely adopted successfully used, appear beyond dispute. 3 District Court explicitly found each element this was known prior art. 'However,' found, 'the conception an extension receive bottomless self-unloading tray push contents front cashier decidedly novel feature constitutes new useful combination.'3 4 Appeals regarded finding one fact, sustained substantial evidence, affirmed not clearly erroneous. identified other different constitute overcame its doubts consideration need some such evidence commercial success one. 5 Since perceived only counter, must first determine were right so doing. think not. In place, mentioned claims, except, perhaps, construction too strained consistent clarity required define boundaries monopoly. 38 Stat. 958, 35 U.S.C. § 33, U.S.C.A. 33; United Carbon Co. v. Binney Smith Co., 317 228, 63 165, 87 232; General Electric Wabash Appliance Corp., 304 364, 58 899, 82 1402. second treat adequately disclosed, would amount go far say never can reside mere change dimensions old device, but certainly cannot elongation merchant's counter—a contrivance time out mind, whatever length suited needs. third itself conceded patentable improvement construed include it, nevertheless invalid overclaiming including elements, unless, together made up such. Bassick Mfg. R. M. Hollingshead 298 415, 425, 56 787, 791, 80 1251; Carbice Corp. America American Patents Development 283 27, 51 334, 75 819. Thus, disallowing thing designated two invention, question survive any basis. What indicia should seek case where nothing tangible new, exists at all, bringing elements together? 6 While patents,4 ventured give precise comprehensive definition test cases. voluminous literature subject excited discloses test.5 agreed key patentability mechanical brings factors into cooperation presence lack course profession came employ term 'combination' imply 'aggregation' signify absence, thus making antonyms legal art ordinary speech more nearly synonyms. However denote short form assembly units failed met examination their employment tests results confusion. concept inherently elusive elements. This, imprecision our language, counselled text writers cautious affirmative definitions rules subject.6 7 negative rule accrued from many litigations condensed about precisely permits Lincoln Engineering Illinois Stewart-Warner 303 545, 549, 662, 664, 1008: 'The aggregation number parts aggregation, perform produce function operation than theretofore performed produced them, invention.' To same end Toledo Pressed Steel Standard Parts, Inc., 307 350, 59 897, 83 1334, Cuno Automatic Devices 314 84, 62 37, 86 58. conjunction concert contribute something; whole way exceeds sum accumulation devices patentable. Elements may, course, especially chemistry electronics, take quality being brought concert, usual result uniting mechanics. This wanting unusual surprising consequences unification here concerned, indicate lower scrutinized light rather severe test. 8 Neither court additional it. does what store always done—it supports merchandise convenient height while makes purchases merchant sales. rack draw goods put place another—just do smooth surface—and guide rails keep falling sliding off ever done. added together, still make four. 9 Courts scrutinize care proportioned difficulty improbability add knowledge. when, contrary, effect subtract former resources freely available skilled artisans. A unites respective functions, presented here, obviously withdraws already field monopoly diminishes skillful men. patentee total stock knowledge, merely segments congregation 10 respondent both lean heavily filled long-felt want enjoyed success. But patentability. supra. every claimed (except counter) When, time, those work supermarket type stores, although had perform, striking, previous utilization. bring apply save checker good idea, scores progressive ideas business patentable, conclude findings 11 urged, however, concurrence below, concludes recent restatement 'two-court rule' reads, 'A law, is, correction errors fact finding, undertake review concurrent absence very obvious exceptional showing error.' Graver Tank Linde Air Products 336 271, 275, 69 535, 538, 93 672. questions general importance considered contingent upon resolving conflicting testimony, facts little set aside none except stand matter law. defect find judgment standard appears used less exacting entirely components. ground reversed. 12 Reversed. 13 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK agrees, concurring. 14 worth emphasis involving validity presents requires reference written Constitution. Article I, contains grant Congress power permit patents issued. unlike most specific powers given, qualified. free reign, example, decide easily given. acts under restraint imposed statement purpose Art. 8. 'To promote Progress Science Arts'. means achievement limited inventors exclusive inventions. 15 Every privilege tolls public. Framers plainly did monopolies granted. justify patent, serve ends science—to frontiers chemistry, physics, like; distinctive contribution scientific why through years opinions commonly taken 'inventive genius' test.1 enough article useful. Constitution sanctioned patenting gadgets. higher end—the advancement science. An startling atomic bomb distinction masters falls recognize advance. Bradley stated Atlantic Works Brady, 107 192, 200, 225, 231, 27 438, looser standard: 'It object laws trifling shadow shade naturally spontaneously occur mechanic operator progress manufactures. Such indiscriminate creation privileges tends obstruct stimulate creates class speculative schemers who watch advancing wave improvement, gather foam patented monopolies, enable lay heavy tax industry country, contributing anything real arts. embarrasses honest pursuit fears apprehensions concealed liens unknown liabilities lawsuits vexatious accountings profits faith.' 16 constitutional standard; Mahn Harwood, 112 354, 358, 174, 176, 451, 28 665. fashioned 537, 672, cases disturb courts, error. rule, imported fields, Having served now substance rejected. recognizes long apparent cases: 'standard invention' controls. present issue. decide. No 'finding fact' substitute case. goes speak final authority issue others. 17 attempts get broader, contemplates persistent. Patent Office, like administrative agencies, looked favor opportunity exercise discretion affords expand own jurisdiction. And placed host gadgets armour patents—gadgets scheme few reached show pressure extend simplest devices: 18 Hotchkiss' Ex'x Greenwood, How. 248, 683: Doorknob clay metal wood, shaped door knobs previously clay. 19 Rubber-Tip Pencil Howard, 20 Wall. 498, 22 410: Rubber caps wood pencils erasers. Union Paper Collar Van Dusen, 23 530, 128: Making collars parchment paper linen used.DP Brown Piper, 91 200: method preserving fish freezing container operating manner ice cream freezer. 21 Reckendorfer Faber, 92 347, 719: Inserting piece rubber slot pencil eraser. Dalton Jennings, 925: Fine thread across open squares regular hairnet hair effectively. Double-Pointed Tack Rivers 109 117, 105, 877: Putting washer wire staple. 24 Miller Foree, 116 22, 204, 29 552: stamp impressing initials side plug tobacco. 25 Preston Manard, 661, 695, 763: hose reel large diameter water may flow wound reel. 26 Hendy Golden State Miners' Iron Works, 370, 1275, 32 207: rollers machine moveable. St. Germain Brunswick, 135 227, 822, 34 122: Revolving cue rack. Shenfield Nashawannuck 137 56, 5, 573: Using flat cord instead round loop suspenders. Florsheim Schilling, 64, 20, 574: elastic gussets corsets. 30 Cluett Claflin, 140 180, 725, 385: shirt bosom dickie sewn onto shirt. 31 Adams Bellaire Stamping 141 539, 66, 849: lantern lid fastened hinge catch other. Clothing Glover, 560, 79, 858: Bridging strip cloth fly pantaloons reinforce against tearing. 33 Pope Gormully Jeffery 144 238, 637, 36 419: Placing hand grips bicycle handlebars. Knapp Morss, 150 221, 81, 37 1059: Applying principle umbrella skirt form. Morgan Envelope Albany Perforated Wrapping 152 627, 500: oval cylindrical toilet roll, facilitate tearing strips. Dunham Dennison 154 103, 986, 924: envelope flap could fashion opened involved belongs list incredible Office spawned. flimsy spurious all declared dramatically illustrates how system frequently departs supposed govern. Claims Turnham 2,242,408, controversy, read follows: '4. checker's character described, bottom pusher frame thereon, said movement along group position adjacent frame. '5. cash carry grocery comprising protion spaced arranged, sided portion whereby movable moved point conveniently observed, counted registered cashier. '6. cashier, readily returned over another occupied group.' 339 947, 70 803. Finding Fact Judge Picard, whose 78 F.Supp. 388. E.g., Keystone Adams, 151 139, 295, 103; Diamond Consolidated Tire 220 428, 444, 55 527. Index Legal Periodicals reveals sixty-four articles relating theory philosophy underlying laws. Among texts Walker (Deller's ed. 1937); Stedman, Patents; Toulmin, Handbook Merwin, Patentability Inventions; Amdur, Law Practice; Roberts, Interpretation. With respect word 'invention,' said: truth defined afford aid determining particular involves inventive faculty given able high order. see lacking impalpable something distinguishes simple skill. Courts, adopting fixed principles guide, process exclusion determined certain variations involve invention; variation relied skill answered applying definition.' McClain Ortmayer, 419, 427, 76, 78, 800. 'Inventive genius'—Mr. Hunt 357, 719; 'Genius invention'—Mr. Chief Fuller Whitman Saddle 148 674, 681, 768, 771, 606; 'Intuitive Potts Creager, 155 597, 607, 194, 198, 39 275; Stone Concrete Appliances Gomery, 269 177, 185, 46 42, 45, 222; Roberts Mantle Lamp Aluminum 301 544, 546, 57 837, 81 1277; 91, 41, 58, flash creative genius, calling.'

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