Rude v. Westcott

The original complainants, John M. Westcott and Charles W. West, allege in their bill that they are the owners, by assignment from the patentee, of two patents to Hiram Moore for improvements in seeding-machines, one issued November 20, 1860, and extended for seven years from November 20, 1874, and the other issued March 28, 1861, for seventeen years; that since the assignment the defendants have made, used, and sold seeding-machines in the district of Indiana, and in various other places in the United States, without the consent or license of the complainants, and in infringement of their patents; and that the defendants are still engaged in such unlawful acts. The complainants, therefore, pray that the defendants may, upon their best knowledge and information, answer as to the matters alleged, and be compelled to account for and pay to the complainants the profits acquired by them, and the damages sustained by the complainants, and be enjoined from making, using, and vending the said machines, or any part thereof, or any seeding-machine made in accordance therewith, or similar to those heretofore made, used, and sold by them. The bill was filed in March, 1876. An answer was filed in June following, in which the defendants admit that they have been and are engaged in the manufacture and sale of seeding-machines, but deny that they infringe either of the patents or any of the rights of the complainants under them, or that the complainants have been thereby deprived of any profits. They also deny that Hiram Moore was the first and original inventor of the alleged improvements described and claimed in the patents, and designate several patents previously issued which, as they allege, embody the substantial and material parts of the invention claimed. In March, 1881, an amendment to the answer was allowed, in which the defendants deny that the complainants have such title to the patents as to enable them to maintain the suit against the defendants; setting up that on the 10th of November, 1874, the complainant Westcott, by an instrument in writing, assigned to Isaac Kinsey and Aaron Morris an undivided part of his interest in the patents, which instrument is recorded in the patent-office of the United States, and that on the 4th of February, 1879, the said Isaac Kinsey assigned one-twelfth interest in the patents to one Lowell L. Lawrence and the Wayne Agricultural Company, which assignment is also on record in the patent-office. A replication to the answer having been filed, proofs were taken, and among other things the assignment by Moore, the patentee, to the complainants, and the assignment by Westcott to Kinsey and Morris, mentioned in the bill and answers, were produced. They are as follows, omitting such parts as are not material to the questions presented:

ASSIGNMENT OF MOORE TO WESTCOTT AND WEST, AND CONTRACT BETWEEN THEM.

'This agreement, made this sixth day of October, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, by and between Hiram Moore, residing near Ripon, in the county of Fond du Lac and state of Wisconsin, party hereto of the first part, Charles W. West, of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and state of Ohio, party hereto of the second part, and John M. Westcott, of Milton, in the county of Wayne and state of Indiana, party hereto of the third part, witnesseth:

'That whereas, sundry letters patent of the United States heretofore have been granted to said Moore, which said letters patent are respectively numbered, entitled, and dated as follows, to-wit: No. 30,685, dated November 20th, 1860, and entitled 'Improvement in Seed-Drills,' and No. 31,819, dated March 26th, 1861, and entitled 'Improvement in Seed-Drills;' and whereas, the said Moore is justly indebted unto the said Charles W. West in the full sum of ten thousand dollars, for money advanced to aid him, the said Moore, in perfecting his inventions, and is desirous of securing the repayment of the same; and whereas, the said Westcott is desirous of acquiring an interest in the inventions and letters patent aforesaid, and in any reissue, renewal, or extension thereof: Now, therefore, know all men by these presents that for and in consideration of the premises, and of the sum of five dollars in lawful money to me in hand by the said Westcott and West, before the execution hereof, paid, and of other valuable considerations me thereunto moving, I, the said Hiram Moore, do hereby assign, sell, and set over unto the said Charles W. West and John M. Westcott the entire right, title, and interest in and to the letters patent aforesaid, and in and to the inventions and improvements represented, shown, or described therein, including any renewal, reissue, or extension thereof, the same to be held and enjoyed by said West and Westcott, and their legal representatives, as fully and entirely as the same would have been held and enjoyed by me had this assignment and sale not been made, to the full end of any term or terms for which the letters patent aforesaid, or either of them, have been, or hereafter may be, granted, reissued, renewed, or extended. I hereby further agree to sign such lawful papers, and do such lawful acts, as may be the counsel learned in law of the said West and Westcott be deemed necessary or expedient in order to obtain an extension or reissue of the patents aforesaid, or to assert, maintain, or defend the rights secured by said letters patent. It is expressly understood, however, that the costs and charges of the proceedings aforesaid shall be defrayed by said West and Westcott, as hereinafter provided.

'In consideration of the premises, I hereby further make, constitute, and appoint the said Charles W. West and John M. Wescott my true and lawful attorneys in law and in fact, with power irrevocable, giving and granting to them full and exclusive and unreserved power and authority, for me, and in my name, place, and stead, to assume and take upon themselves the entire and exclusive management and control of the aforesaid letters patent, and of each and every one of them, and to dispose of all the rights, title, and interest which I have under the same, and under each and every one of them, for such price or prices, upon such terms, and to such persons, and for such place or places, as they, my said attorneys, shall deem proper, and in my name, place, and stead, and as my own proper act and deed, to sign, seal, deliver, and acknowledge all such deeds and instruments of writing as shall be necessary or proper for the granting or licensing to others the said rights under the said letters patent, and to each and every of them, and to ask, demand, sue for, and receive the price of fees, or any part or parts thereof, paid or payable for such grants or licenses, and in my name to execute and deliver receipts and acquittances therefor, and in my name to bring to account and reckoning, and to ask, demand, sue for, and recover and receive of and from all and any person whomsoever who may have been or may be manufacturing or selling said drills containing the improvements aforesaid, or by any or either of them, such reasonable price or fee for such use of said improvements, or either of them, as my said attorneys shall deem proper and reasonable, * * * and generally to do and perform, and execute in my name as aforesaid, all and whatever other acts, matters, and things that they may deem expedient and requisite, or may be advised to do in and about the premises, as fully and effectually, to all intents and purposes, as if I myself were present and did the same; I, the said Hiram Moore, hereby ratifying, allowing, and confirming, and agreeing from time to time, and all times hereafter, to ratify, allow, and confirm, as good and valid, all and whatsoever the acts, matters, and things which my said attorneys or their substitute shall lawfully do, or cause to be done, in and about the premises, by virtue of these presents. * * * The said John M. Westcott, for his part, agrees, at his own cost and charges, to procure the extension of said letters patent, November 20, 1860, now pending, if practicable, including the expenses already incurred, as well as those which hereafter may be incurred, in said behalf, which sum is to be paid absolutely whether said extension is granted or not, and in no event is any part of said sum to be reclaimed from, or refunded or repaid by, said Moore, or to be deducted from the sum or sums collected under said patents. It is hereby covenanted and agreed, by and between the parties hereto, as follows: That from the sum or sums collected under the letters patent aforesaid, from sales, royalties, or settlements, or from any other source, shall first be deducted the costs, charges, and expenses of collecting the same, including all litigation expenses save those of the extension application, and then the net profits or receipts shall be divided among the parties hereto as follows: To Hiram Moore, or his legal representatives, one-fourth part; to C. W. West, or his legal representatives, one-fourth part; to John M. Westcott, or his legal representatives, one-half part. In case of loss or failure to realize any profit under said patents, all litigation expenses aforesaid are to be paid by said Westcott, it being expressly understood by the parties hereto that under no circumstances are said Moore or West to incur any obligation or be under any liabilities for said expenses. It is further agreed that John M. Westcott is to make no charge for his own time spent in this behalf, nor is said West to make any charges for his services. It is also expressly understood that said Moore's interest is to continue during and throughout the extended time of the patent of November 20, 1860. Should such extension be granted, the parties hereto hereby agree in good faith to perform the covenants between them made. In testimony whereof the parties hereto have affixed their hands and seals, the day and year first above written.

Seal.

'HIRAM MOORE.

'C. W. WEST.

'J. M. WESTCOTT.

'In presence of WM. D. BALDWIN.

'MARY. T. PALMER.'

ASSIGNMENT OF WESTCOTT TO MORRIS AND KINSEY, AND CONTRACT BETWEEN THEM.

'Whereas, heretofore, to-wit, October 6th, 1874, Hiram Moore, of Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, Charles W. West, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and John M. Westcott, of Milton, Indiana, entered into a contract and article of agreement in relation to certain improvements in grain-drills, for which letters-patent have been issued to said Moore, No. 30,685, dated November 20th, 1860, and No. 31,819, dated March 26th, 1861, in which agreement, amongst other things, the said Moore assigns and conveys to said West one-fourth, and to said Westcott one half, and retains for himself one-fourth of said interest contained in said letters patent, for said improvements in said grain or feed-drills.

"In said assignment said Westcott, on his part, agrees, at his own cost and charges, to procure the extension of said letters patent of November 20th, 1860, including expenses already incurred, as well as those that may hereafter occur in said behalf, to be paid whether such extension be granted or not; and in no event is said sum, or any part thereof, to be reclaimed from or refunded by said Moore, and that from sums collected under said letters patent, from sales, royalties, or settlements, or from any other source, shall first be deducted the costs, charges, and expenses of collecting the same, including all litigation expenses, save those of the extension application, and then the net profits or receipts shall be divided among said parties,-to said Moore one-fourth, said West one-fourth, and said Westcott one-half part. In case of loss or failure to realize any profits under said patent, all litigation expenses aforesaid are to be paid by said Westcott, said Moore or West to be under no liabilities for said expenses. Said Westcott is to make no charge for his own time spent in this behalf, nor is said West to make any charge for his services. Said Moore's interest is to continue during and throughout the extended term of the patent of November 20th, 1860, should such extension be granted.

"And whereas, in consideration of the foregoing, Isaac Kinsey and Aaron Morris, of Milton, in Wayne county, Indiana, are desirous of obtaining an interest in said letters patent, they thereby agree to and with said John M. Westcott, of the same place, to severally take an equal interest with him in the same.

"Therefore this article of agreement witnesseth that said John M. Westcott hereby agrees to and with said Isaac Kinsey and Aaron Morris, and does hereby set over and assign to each of them, one-third part of his one-half interest, retaining one-third part himself in said letters patent; and said Kinsey and Morris, fully understanding the original agreement mentioned, do hereby agree to and with said Westcott to be at one-third expense each with said Westcott jointly, as set forth in said agreement, and shall be equally entitled and receive one-third profit or proceeds, if any, in said one-half interest, and in all things pertaining hereto to be governed by this and the original contract and agreement. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals this 10th day of November, 1874.

'J. M. WESTCOTT. [Seal.]

'ISAAC KINSEY. [Seal.]

'AARON MORRIS. [Seal.]'

In May, 1881, the case was brought to a hearing on the pleadings and proofs, and the court held that the patents to Moore were valid; that he was the original and first inventor of the improvements specified in them, and that the title to them was vested in the complainants; that the defendants had infringed the first and second claims of the patent of 1860, and the dixth claim of the patent of 1861, and that complainants were entitled to recover the profits and gains which had accrued to the defendants from the manufacture, use, and sale of the improvements specified in those claims; and ordered a reference to one of the masters of the court to ascertain, state, and report an account of the gains and profits which the defendants or either of them had received by infringing the said claims, as well as the damages the complainants had sustained thereby. The master thereupon proceeded to comply with the order, and on the 6th of December, 1883, made his report to the court. That report is not contained in the record, but from references to it, and quotations from it in the opinion of the court in considering exceptions taken to it, it appears that he reported that the complainants waived all claim for profits, and relied upon the proofs produced as establishing a fixed license fee or royalty as the measure of damages. After stating the testimony of the witnesses who had been examined on the point, he said that it was very difficult to determine from this evidence whether it made proof of such an established royalty or license fee as furnished a criterion upon which to estimate complainant's damages.

The proof on the subject of damages was thus stated in his report: 'It is proved that the Wayne Agricultural Company paid the royalty of $1 for one-horse machines, and $2 for two-horse machines, for four years,-a sum which, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, may be regarded as reasonable. Mast & Co. paid between $2,000 and $3,000 in cash and conceded privileges, which Westcott estimates to have been worth as much more, for infringement. It is true Westcott threatened suit, and when money is paid under threat of suit, merely as the price of peace, it furnishes no evidence of the amount or value of the real claim in dispute; but the settlement made shows that Westcott was paid something substantial for the infringement, and that the fear of litigation was a small element of the settlement itself. Westcott says that he arrived at the amount by his estimate of the number of the machines made by Mast & Co. and other considerations which are explained in Mast's deposition. Mast says no estimate was made of the number of machines. Westcott says he gave licenses like the one attached to his deposition to Mast & Co., and to English & Over. Mast was examined, but not interrogated, on that point. Mr. English, the active man in the firm of English & Over, says he does not recollect whether they took a license or not.'

Notwithstanding the difficulty expressed by him, the master reported that the defendants had made and sold 800 infringing one-horse machines, and that complainants' damages on that account were $800; and that defendants had made and sold 800 infringing two-horse machines, and the complainant's damages on that account were $1,600,-making $2,400 damages in full. The court, after a full consideration of the exceptions, came to the conclusion that without further evidence the complainants were entitled to only nominal damages, and entered an order that the case be recommitted to the master, with directions to admit further evidence as to damages, and to report the same, with his conclusions of law. On the 23d of April, 1885, the master made a second report, in which, among other things, he stated that the additional evidence taken by him did not strengthen the proofs previously made in support of the claim that the complainants had established a license fee or royalty, which furnished a criterion by which to estimate the damages. He found that between 1870 and May, 1881, the defendants had made and put on the market about 2,000 drills which infringed 'the elements of the combination covered by the first claim,' one-half of which were one-horse and one-half two-horse drills. He then considered the value of the claim or combination to defendants, who had used it in violation of complainants' rights, and stated that the evidence on this subject was conflicting; that some of the manufacturers considered it of so much value that during the life of the patent they had paid a stipulated license for its use, and that afterwards they said it was worth very little, if anything, and that it might be true that its value had been impaired and destroyed by new devices and improvements; and that the value of the combination, as estimated by the witnesses, varied from nothing to $6 per drill. He therefore reported that complainants were entitled to damages for 1,000 one-horse drills at 75 cents each, and 1,000 two-horse drills at $1.50 each, making in all $2,250; but how he arrived at the conclusion that 75 cents on each drill of one class, and $1.50 on each drill of the other class, were the actual damages sustained, nowhere appears. Exceptions were taken to the report on various grounds, and, among others, that the findings were based on speculation, and were only guesses, both as to the number of infringing drills and as to the value of the claim infringed, and that it failed to state any definite facts or evidence as a basis or ground for the findings. In July, 1885, the court decreed that the complainants were entitled to recover $1,800 for the damages sustained, and that, so far as the master's report was inconsistent with that decree, the exceptions to it were sustained, but in other respects the exceptions were overruled. From this decision the appeal is taken. Pending the suit, Charles W. West, one of the complainants, and George W. Rude and John R. Rude, two of the defendants, died, and the bill was revived by the substitution of the executors of West in his place, and the administrators of George W. Rude in his place, and the executor of John R. Rude in his place.

Arthur Stem and L. Hill, for appellants.

E. E. Wood and ''Edw. Boyd'', for appellees.

Mr. Justice FIELD, after stating the facts as above, delivered the opinion of the court.