Legal Document

406 U.S. 518 92 Supreme Court Reporter 1700 32 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 273 DEEPSOUTH PACKING CO., Inc., Petitioner,v.The LAITRAM CORPORATION. Number 71—315. Argued April 11, 1972. Decided May 30, Syllabus Petitioner is not foreclosed by 35 Code KF62 § 271(a), which proscribes the unauthorized making of any patented invention within States, from parts shrimp deveining machines (for respondent was adjudged to have valid combination patents) sell foreign buyers for assembly use abroad. The word 'makes' as used in 271(a) does extend manufacture constituent a machine, and unassembled export elements an infringe patent. Radio Corporation America versus Andrea, 79 Federal Reporter, 2nd 626. Pp. 519—532. 443 936, reversed remanded. Harold Judge Birch, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Guy W. Shoup, New York City, respondent. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 District Eastern Louisiana has written: 2 'Shrimp, whether boiled, broiled, barbecued or fried, are gustatory delight, but they did evolve satisfy man's palate. Like other crustaceans, wear their skeletons outside bodies order shield savory pink white flesh against predators, including man. They also carry intestines, commonly called veins, bags (or sand bags) that run length bodies. For be edible, it necessary remove shells. In addition, if vein removed, become more pleasing fastidious well palatable.'1 3 favored federal courts blissfully situated on Nation's Gulf Coast, properly recited this case. both hold patents devein cheaply efficiently than competing machinery hand labor can do job. Extensive litigation below established respondent, Laitram Corp., superior claim distribution petitioner Deepsouth's country should enjoined prevent infringement Laitram's patents. Deepsouth Packing Co., 928 (C.A.5 1971). We granted certiorari, 404 1037, 702, 30 728 (1972), consider related question: Is Deepsouth, barred American market patents, patent laws exporting its deveiners, less fully assembled form, abroad? 4 * A rudimentary understanding dispute prerequisite comprehending legal issue presented. determined held two process shrimp. One, 1954,2 accorded rights over 'slitter' exposed veins using water pressure gravity force down inclined through studded with razor blades. As descend trough backs slit blades knife-like objects arranged zig-zag pattern. second patent, 1958, covers 'tumbler,' 'a device mechanically substantially all whose previously been slit,' App. 127, described 1954 This uses streams into then out revolving drum fabricated commercial sheet metal. pass hooked 'lips' punched metal, 'projecting at acute angle supporting member having smooth rounded free edge engaging beneath wedging between lip member,' 131, engage them. 5 Both slitter tumbler patents; is, 6 '(n)one referred new, none claimed new; nor portion whole stated produce given result. end view proposed accomplished union all, combined together manner described. And combination, composed mentioned specification, reference each other, (machine) therein described, improvement, thing patented.' Prouty Ruggles, 16 Pet. 336, 341, 10 L.Ed. 985 (1842). 7 slitter's were: trough, 'knife' (actually, knives) positioned means (water sprayed jets) move trough. tumbler's include 'lip,' 'support 'means' thrust jets). usual either these were themselves patentable time now. inventions, moving water, course, commonplace. (It suggested infringed jets.) cutting instruments troughs slitters commodities available general use. structure support hardly novel: concedes inventors merely adapted metal sheets ordered catalog perfect invention. warranted novelty represented. Invention recognized because assignors3 ordinary extraordinary way—a novel old designed achieve new ends.4 Thus, inventions 'the some way exceed(ed) sum parts.' Great Atlantic & Pacific KF135 P2 Tea company Supermarket Equipment 340 147, 152, 71 130, 95 162 (1950). II 8 lower court's decision entitled corporation privileges bestowed 154, keystone provision code. '(F)or term seventeen years' date had right exclude others making, using, selling throughout . ..' 154 turn provides basis affording patentee injunction direct, induced, contributory infringement, 283, award damages when such already occurred, 284. Infringement defined 271 terms follow those 154: 9 '(a) Except otherwise provided title, whoever without authority makes, sells invention, during therefor, (directly) infringes '(b) Whoever actively induces shall liable infringer. 11 '(c) component manufacture, composition, material apparatus practicing process, constituting part knowing same especially made staple article commodity commerce suitable substantial noninfringing use, infringer.' 12 result provisions judgment superiority forecloses customers future (other approved occurring after expired) deveiners 'throughout States.' taken conjunction entitle received prohibiting continuing 'make' or, once made, 'sell' Further, may recover past sale, much disputed. 13 But argues every type sale business salvageable. Section obviously intended grant monopoly only market; bonus position flagship competition international commerce. itself machines, inducing them States,' seeks make buyers, assemble abroad.5 Accordingly, judicial approval, expressed modification interpretation it, practice shipping equipment three separate boxes, containing 3/4-ton yet assemblable one hour.6 contends 'making' 'use' occur abroad lawful infringed. 14 counters course conduct based upon hypertechnical reading code that, tolerated, will deprive fruits inventive genius assignors. 'The scarcely plainer definition .,' Bauer O'Donnell, 229 1, 10, 33 616, 617, 57 1041 (1913). respects save final It so intent user effect permission. components though themselves; act regarded, indeed advertised, no importance. 15 Court, faced dispute, noted prior circuit considered meaning context resolved question favorably position. See Hewitt-Robins, Incorporated Link-Belt 371 225 (CA7 1966); Cold Metal Process Engineering Foundry 235 224 (CA3 1956); 626 (CA2 1935). read even could predictably would form whole. 'It urged (this) logical founded twin notions underlie laws. One protects combination. monopolies—even conferred patents—are viewed favor. These logic enough.' 310 F.Supp. 926, 929 (1970). 17 Appeals Fifth Circuit reversed, thus departing rules Second, Third, Seventh Circuits. panel's opinion, 'worked conceptual box' adopting 'an artificial, technical construction' laws, construction, moreover, panel, '(subverted) Constitutional scheme promoting Progress Science useful Arts" allowing intrusion patentee's rights, F.2d, 938 939, citing Const., Article I, 8. III 18 disagree Circuit.7 Under common law inventor his If suppress trade must derived grant, statute.8 find 271, relies, claim. 19 Certainly lead inside production sales activity subject induced infringement. there fact intention direct 'In word, (direct) Mercoid Mid-Continent 320 661, 677, 64 268, 276, 88 376 (1944) (Frankfurter, J., dissenting grounds). Aro Mfg. Convertible Top Replacement 365 341—342, 81 599, 602, 592 (1961), succinctly articulates law: 20 plain 271(c)—a Patent enacted 1952—made change fundamental precept absence That section defines infringement—namely machine 'in patent." statute makes clear product States. 271. Dowagiac Minnesota Moline Plow 641, 650, 221, 224, 59 398 (1915), Brown Duchesne, How. 183, 595 (1857). secure seeks, show 'makes,' 'uses,' 'sells' bounds country. 21 suggest 'uses' machines. Its argument machines—based primarily rhetoric indicia price9 cannot day unless shown 'patented invention.' resolves manufacture: (and sell) something cognizable under fell short infringement? 22 Appeals, believing construction keeping term,' 938, theory 'means what ordinarily connotes—the machine.' Id., 939. Passing closely corresponds offered Swan Andrea years earlier (something reaches state 'operable' assembly), we Circuit's unacceptable collides head line decisions firmly embedded our unassailable absent congressional recasting statute. 23 endorse 'substantial (a) machine' constitutes often operable parts. 'For pointed Investment (320 676, 276) functioning whole, Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator 680, 684, 278, 280 (1944). Leeds Catlin Victor Talking Machine 213 301, 29 495, 53 805: 24 'A elements, partly wholly new. old, means—an invention—distinct them.' 318, S.Ct., 500. 25 '(O)ne element Indeed, not. To that—to identical combination—they united operative law.' 320, 501. 26 see Guild, Wall. 181, 161 (1874). sum, 27 'if anything settled law, totality element, separately viewed, grant.' U.S., 344, 604. 28 basic tenet system led leading case, 1935), '(The) relationship essence '. No wrong done until formed. His cover capable being, never actually, associated Only association monopoly, territory granted.' 628. 31 230 ('We full accord rule laid case think master district court applying here'); Link Belt (to effect). reaffirm conclusion today. IV said too narrow statute, focus constitutional mandate 34 '(t)o promote Arts, securing limited Times Authors Inventors exclusive Right respective Writings Discoveries construe would, allegedly, better reflect policy Framers. 36 accept argument. direction N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions Congress power progress science arts. When, here, Constitution permissive, sign how far chosen go come Congress. here construing passed 1952. prevailing clearly evident cases Act passed; representing specific application respect old. When drafted gave indication desired relevant ruling Andrea.10 Nor recent occasion indicated wanted privilege farther understood action Circuit. 37 Moreover, petitioner's light historical antipathy monopoly11 repeated efforts preserve foster competition. recently dissent: 38 '(I)n rewarding 'rights welfare community fairly dealt effectually guarded.' Kendall Winsor, 62 322, 329, 165 (1859). prerequisites obtaining strictly observed, issued limitations exercise equally enforced.' Sears, Roebuck Stiffel 225, 230, 84 784, 788, 661 (1964). 39 follows expand overruling modifying statutes, expansion mere inference ambiguous statutory language. require certain signal before approving litigant who, beachhead wider, area public narrower, thought. legitimizes respondent's litigation. 40 conclusion, note stake companies compete holder markets. Our extraterritorial effect; 'these acts not, to, operate beyond limits How., 195, (1856), correspondingly reject claims control Cf. Boesch Graff, 133 697, 703, 378, 380, 787 (1890). degree needs protection markets country, wording §§ reveals him seek secured countries where goods being used. Respondent holds adequately explain why avail V 41 sum: many appears evident—a combination—we prepared break mold begin anew. matter resolved, still insist recognize claimed. Such lacking. remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 42 ordered. 43 Reversed 44 BLACKMUN, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, POWELL, REHNQUIST join, dissenting. 45 Because certiorari limited, customarily presented issues validity us necessarily accept, therefore, manufactured concedes. however, denies effected ships response 46 With respect, seems me 271(a). unduly reward artful competitor who another's entirety profit thereby. admissive candid describes ante, 523 n. 5, 'straightforward,' 'sales rhetoric,' 527, very iniquitous evasive nature operations. escape protective language situation, perhaps, different parts, vital part, Here everything except putting pieces directed (an operation represented Brazilian prospect, take 'less hour'), fond father little daughter's doll house Christmas Eve. say assembly, abroad, prohibited avoids restrictions bit me. opened deny benefits purchasers. 47 suspect overstates 'leading case,' 529, imputes Congress, drafting 1952 awareness Andrea's 'prevailing law,' 530. seriously undermined promulgation, modified decree review. 90 612 1937). author, himself, 1937 decision, somewhat ruefully allowed decision. 615. therefore present 936 (1971), reasoning older weakened Third opinions it. 48 By most rigid today, fulfills Clark, able Circuit, distressingly forecast: 49 'To (as today) subvert Discoveries.' U.S.Const., art. Cl. allow infringer set up shop next door patent-protected enjoys valuable business. effectuated, manufactures captures patentee. just manufacturing reap economy—technology, labor, materials, etc.—but responsibilities permit enjoy strip away protection.' 50 share concern dissent. 301 1040 (1969). expired shortly injunctive relief. asserted exportation machine. developed brothers now president vice-president names, assigned corporation. wrote: 'Defendant urges (1958) invalid aggregative, anticipated art, obvious, functional language, overbroad, indefinite. While punch material, considerable period time, co-act perform function results.' F.Supp., 1063. entirely straightforward indicating motivated desire avoid wrote customer: 'We handicapped entire complication exception arrives Brazil.' Quoted 928, (CA5 shipped, contains belt lip. included box accommodate elements. record shows simplicity's sake, we, like courts, discuss permissible conduct. scope favor applies calculation recover. 'But property altogether provisions; (has) always he maintain suit, obtains according Congress; regulated measured sold completely price advertisements, correspondence, invoices frequently 'machine,' rather kit Brief 8—11. submitted Senate 1952, Senator Saltonstall asked: 'Does bill codify laws?' McCarran, Chairman Judiciary Committee, responded: codifies laws.' 98 Cong.Rec. 9323. discussion Graham John Deere 383 et seq., 86 688, 545 (1966).

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