Coupe v. Royer

This was an action of trespass on the case, brought in October, 1889, in the circuit court of the United States for the district of Massachusetts, by Herman and Louis Royer against William Coupe and Edwin A. Burgess, for an alleged infringement of letters patent of the United States, No. 77,920, dated May 12, 1868, for an 'improved machine for treating hides.'

The patent expired on May 12, 1885, and this suit was entered July 14, 1885. The trial resulted, on November 10, 1886, in a verdict for the plaintiffs in the sum of $18,000, and judgment was entered on November 26, 1889, for the sum of $21,288 damages and $164.25 costs. 29 Fed. 358.

The defendants below sued out a writ of error to this court. Reversed.

Wilmarth H. Thurston and Edmund Wetmore, for plaintiffs in error.

M. A. Wheaton, for defendants in error.

Mr. Justice SHIRAS delivered the opinion of the court.