Haughey v. Lee

Statement by Mr. Justice SHIRAS:

On October 24, 1889, Michael Haughey filed a bill of complaint against Jesse Lee, Lewis E. Lee, and Walter Lee, as partners, under the style of Jesse Lee & Sons, alleging that the United States had on March 20, 1888, granted him letters patent for an improvement in interfering devices for horses; that the defendants were infringing complainant's rights as such patentee, and praying for an injunction and account. On January 21, 1890, the defendants filed an answer, denying infringement, and alleging the invalidity of complainant's patent, because of certain specified anticipations, and because, under the condition of the art, of want of invention. Replication was duly filed, evidence was taken, and, on May 13, 1890, after argument, the court below decreed the dismissal of the bill. (48 Fed. 382.) From this decree an appeal was duly taken and allowed to this court.

E. J. O'Brien, for appellant.

Ernest Howard Hunter, for appellees.

Mr. Justice SHIRAS, after stating the facts in the foregoing language, delivered the opinion of the court.