Legal Document

369 U.S. 111 82 Supreme Court Reporter 580 7 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 604 PUBLIC AFFAIRS ASSOCIATES, INC., etc., Petitioner,v.Vice Admiral Hyman G. RICKOVER. Vice RICKOVER, Petitioner, versus etc. Nos. 36, 55. Argued Nov. 6 and 7, 1961. Decided March 5, 1962. Harry N. Rosenfield for petitioner in Number 36 respondent Joseph Atlantic McDonald, Washington, D.C., the PER CURIAM. 1 These two cases arose under Declaratory Judgment Act of June 14, 1934, 48 Statutes-at-Large 955, as amended, now 28 Code KF62 (1958 ed.) §§ 2201 2202, Annotated KF65 U5 2201, 2202. The plaintiff, an educational publishing corporation, asked defendant, Rickover, leave to publish, undefined extent, uncopyrighted speeches he had theretofore delivered. He refused on ground that what claimed be exclusive rights been sold another publisher, gave notice copyright subsequent plaintiff's demand. Since defendant threatened restraint use his speeches, plaintiff sought this declaratory relief. District dismissed complaint merits, 177 F.Supp. 601. Appeals (one judge dissenting), agreeing with had, commonlaw author, held forfeited by reason their 'publication'; copyrighted court remanded case determination extent which 'fair use' was open plaintiff. 109 U.S.App.D.C. 128, 284 Federal Reporter, 2nd 262. By petition certiorari cross-petition both parties review because serious public questions were issue we brought here. 365 841, 81 801, 5 808. 2 authorization, not a command. It federal courts competence make declaration rights; it did impose duty do so. Brillhart Excess insurance Co., 316 491, 494, 499, 62 1173, 86 L.Ed. 1620; Great Lakes Dredge & Dock company Huffman, 319 293, 299—300, 63 1070, 87 1407; Alabama State Federation Labor McAdory, 325 450, 462, 65 1384, 89 1725; Mechling Barge Lines States, 368 324, 331, 337, 317. Of course cannot decline entertain such action matter whim or personal disinclination. 'A judgment, like other forms equitable relief, should granted only judicial discretion, exercised interest.' Eccles Peoples Bank, 333 426, 431, 68 641, 644, 92 784. We have cautioned against judgments issues moment, even falling short constitutionality, speculative situations. supra, at 432, 644. 3 In these are determine matters concern. They relate claims intellectual property arising out employment. thus raise touching responsibilities immunities those engaged service, particularly high officers, rightful demands Government upon serving it. delicate problems; solution is bound far-reaching import. Adjudication problems, certainly way resort discretionary rest adequate full-bodied record. record before us woefully lacking requirements. 4 decisions below rested Agreed Statement Facts sketchily summarized circumstances preparation delivery controversy relation Admiral's official duties. nature scope duties clearly defined less than exposition him government facilities personnel given. Administrative practice, insofar may relevantly shed light, explored. part phrased, modified interpreted running exchange between trial counsel. agreement counsel explained oral argument Court. None undetailed loose, if ambiguous, statements subject safeguards critical probing through examination cross-examination. This all more disturbing where vital interests implicated requested asserted no claim (indeed obliquely deemed disapproved defendant's claim) although invited appear litigation amicus curiae chose So fragile unsatisfactory basis Accordingly, judgment vacated, direction return disposition inconsistent opinion. so ordered. direction. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS, concurring. 8 conceded command—a conclusion well settled proposition jurisdiction confined 'cases' 'controversies.' Aetna Life Hartford, Conn. Haworth, 300 227, 57 461, 617. requirements 'case' 'controversy' propriety times closely enmeshed. resolving has whole niggardly exercise its authority. Thus, Doremus Board Education, 342 429, 72 394, 96 475, taxpayer's suit declare school system could used religious instruction there 'the requisite financial Id., 435, 397, Frothingham Mellon, 262 447, 43 597, 67 1078—a decision N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions great difficulty given new dimensions. That taxpayer standing challenge appropriation, since question essentially public, private, concern.1 487, ruling projected into state field case, barring relief legitimately concerned operation system. 9 At 'ripeness' brigaded appropriateness Public Service Comm. Utah Wycoff 344 237, 244, 73 236, 97 291, denied though carrier's certificate interstate business placed jeopardy action. principle extended deny situation comparable remove cloud from one's title. For bank being saddled conditions Reserve System crippled activities restricted market stock. On occasions, 'mootness' rubric route litigant still insecure peril result administrative 10 said 'abstract' lack immediacy enforcement law. person must risk going jail losing job get true Poe Ullman, 367 497, 1752, 989, involving Connecticut's birth-control law, Workers Mitchell, 330 75, 556, 91 754, Covil Rules restricting political employees. 11 list complete. But illustrate restrictive judge-made rules made inhospitable vindicate private rights. time wholly consistent; nor I. Compare Connecticut Mut. Moore, 541, 682, 863 (dissenting opinion), Western Union Tel. Pennsylvania, 71, 199, 139. my maturing view law justice disservice when they close doors people who, yet penalized, live regime insecurity. What for, removing clouds title, adjudicating whom aimed, immediately applied? 12 Evers Dwyer, 358 202, 79 178, 222, illustrative deem important role served judgment. A Negro who arrested riding segregated bus class adjudicated. 'actual controversy,' clear local authorities bent enforcing segregation enforced plaintiff.2 13 opinion seems set apart suspect; leaves innuendo here different complaint, might different. share none disparaging thoughts. agree, however, cause be, present gaps adjudication impossible. evidence Rickover's literary works products office fatal me, though, course, would one considers facts irrelevant legal issue. approach take today often abdicate function resounding utterances concerning importance self-denial. See, e.g., International Auto. 352 567, 590—592, 77 529, 563. also place undue emphasis clarity precision presented, Rescue Army Municipal Court, 331 549, 1409, 1666, subjected appellant 'to burden undergoing third trial' order 'clean-cut concrete form.' 584, 1427. choice, without additional withhold decision. 14 Chief WARREN, WHITTAKER concurs, dissenting. 15 With respect written delivered prior December 1, 1958, affirm. filed is, believe, support practice distributing numerous copies limitations persons receive them purposes put recipients, much suggestion claim, amounted dedication domain. same time, recognize inadequacy determining whether effectively protected use,' Affairs intended works. would, therefore, affirm remand ordered speeches. 16 light views, find unnecessary pass raised dismiss premature. 17 HARLAN, 18 basic copyrightable following provision Copyright Act: 'No shall subsist * any publication Government.' (17 § 8, 8.) As see it, turns merely 'line duty,' but also, fundamentally, event 'publication(s) sufficient require aspects issue, phase agree reached Appeals. adequacy affixed after 1958. 19 However, consider inadequate justify right lost alleged entry domain.'* vacate further proceedings. respects below. 'Back 1923, went mere fact show paid taxes difference act Congress appropriating funds. recognized unconstitutional spending money conceivably necessitate rise tax levies. Nevertheless causal connection specific expenditure future rates too remote uncertain constitute immediate injury taxpayer. Hence complain about others. 'Rulings kind, designed keep peace among departments government, eminently sensible over-all policies. Yet provide immunize bad attack courts: need frame violate nobody particular everybody general, entire American people. Then, can point distinguishable neighbors', come legislation!' Edmond Cahn, How Destroy Churches, Harper's Magazine, 1961, Page 36. And Mitchell 313 80, 61 873, 85 1201, Interstate Commerce Commission carrier discriminating complain, similar railroad journey: 'He citizen free travel, entitled go whenever chooses journey discrimination forbids.' 93, 876. stipulation states 20 22 'Admiral Rickover mailed some individuals believed interested subject. Some sent sponsor speech available press others delivered.' (Emphasis added.) appears distribution ever made. Whether foregoing publications general enough amount depends precise information afforded stipulation.

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