Boyd v. Janesville Hay-Tool Company

John M. Boyd filed a bill in the circuit court of the United States for the Western district of Wisconsin against the Janesville Hay-Tool Company and its officers, charging the defendants with infringement of letters patent granted the complainant, numbered as No. 300,687, and dated June 17, 1884, for an improvement in hay elevator and carrier.

The answer denied that complainant was the original and first inventor, and alleged anticipating patents, prior knowledge and use by others, and that defendants have made and sold hay carriers in accordance with patent No. 279,889, granted June 19, 1883, to F. B. Strickler.

There was a general replication; evidence was put in; on November 9, 1888, a decree was entered dismissing the bill of complaint (37 Fed. 887), and from this decree an appeal was taken to this court.

Curtis T. Benedict, for appellant.

C. K. Offield, for appellees.

Mr. Justice SHIRAS delivered the opinion of the court.