886
J'EDlilRAL REPORTER,
vol. 71.
THOMSON-HOUSTON ELECTRIC CO. v. ELMIRA & H. RY. CO.
(Circuit Court, N. D. New York. June 2\), Ull)5.) No.6,13Q. 1. COSTS IN PATENT SUITS.
Costs w1l1 not be awarded to complainant, where some of the claims sued on are withdrawn at the argument, and others are adjudged not infringed. although the decree is in his favor as to others still.
2. PRACTIOE IN PATENT SUITS..,-WITHDRAWING CLAIMS.
The practice of Withdrawing, at the hearing. claims of doubtfUl validity, is to be encouraged, as it simplifies the Issues, relieves the court and counsel of tedious and inconsequential investigation, and relieves the defendant from liablllty thereon, as completely as if they were declared invalid.
This was a bill in equity by the Thomson-Houston Electric Company against the Elmira & Horseheads Railway Company for alleged infringement of the Van Depoele patent, No. 424,695, for improvements in suspended switches and traveling contacts for electric railways. A decision on the merits was heretofore rendered. 71 Fed. 396. The question now is 8.$ to the matter of costs, and whether complainant should be permitted to withdraw certain claims. It arises upon the settlement Of the decree. Sa,muel A. Duncan and Frederic H. Betts, for complainant. Wm. A. Jenner and Thomas B. Kerr, for defendant. COXE, District Judge. .As to costs. Four of the claims were withdrawn at the argument on intimation by the court that the question of invention as to them was exceedingly doubtful. The court decided, as to three others, that the defendant did not infringe. Fourteen claims are not included in the decree, presumably for the reason, as to some of them at least, that they are thought to be for the same invention as those which are included. The defendant has been put to the trouble and expense of defending all of these claims, those withdrawn and not infringed equally with the others. In these circumstances the rule in this circuit is well settled that the complainant is not entitled to costs. Adams v. Howard, 22 Blatchf. 47, 19 Fed. 317; Hayes v. Bickelhoupt, 21 Fed. 566; Yale & G. Manuf'g Co. v. North, 5 Blatchf. 455, Fed. Cas. No. 18,123; Steam Trap Co. v. Felthousen, 20 Fed. 633; Tyler v. Galloway, 20 Blatchf. 445, 12 Fed. 567; Edison Electric Light Co. v. Electric Engineering & Supply Co., 60 Fed. 401; Electrical Accumulator Co. v. Julien Electric Co., 38 Fed. 117; Campbell Printing-Press & Manuf'g Co. v. Eames Vacuum Brake Co., 44 Fed. 64; Ballard v. McCluskey, 58 Fed. 880. The question of costs having been determined in favor of the defendant, the court can see no reason for entering upon a discussion and analysis of the claims not included in the decree. Cui bono? The course adopted by the complainant in withdrawing these claims has frequently been pursued in other cases in this circuit. It is
HARDWICK 11. MASLAND.
887
thought that this practice should be encouraged in this cause particularly. As the decree now stands the air is cleared and the issue very much simplified by the withdrawal of these claims. The court and counsel are relieved from a tedious and inconsequential investigation which in no event could place the defendant in any better position than it now is. The complainant does not recover costs and the defendant is relieved from all liability on account of the withdrawn claims as fully as if they were declared invalid by the court.
HARDWICK v. MASLAND et a1.
(Circuit Court, E. D. Pennsylvania. No. 32. 1.
December 26, 1895.)
PATENTS-INFRINGEMENT-PRESUMPTION FROM SUBSEQUENT PATENT.
The granting of a subsequent patent is not prima facie proof of a patentable difference, where the question is one of infringement, and the later patent is manifestly for a mere improvement on the earlier one. 'Where defendant denies infringement, and avers that the alleged in· fringing article was made under a latt!r patent than that sued on, the court may, in a plain case, determine the question of infringement by in· spection and comparison of the two patents.
2.
SAME-INSPECTION AND COMPARISON BY THE COURT.
8.
SAME-CARPET FABRICS.
The Hardwick patent, No. 382,157, for a two-ply ingrain carpet fabric, having the weft threads divided into sets of five, of which three are in on ply and two in the other, is infringed by a fabric made according to the Acheson patent, No. 497,294.
This was a suit in equity by Harry Hardwick against Morris H. Masland and Frank E. Masland, trading as C. H. Masland & Sons, for alleged infringement of a patent for a carpet fabric. Harding & Harding, for complainant. Henry Everding, for respondents. DALLAS, Circuit Judge. This is a suit upon letters patent No. 382,157, dated May 1, 1888, to Harry Hardwick, for "carpet fabric." The only claim involved is as follows: "(I) A two-ply ingrain carpet fabric, having the weft threads divided Into sets of five, of which three are In one-ply, and two in the other, all substantially as set forth."
The controversy as to infringement, which is the only one, is presented in an unusual, but not unprecedented, manner. The answer denies, in general terms, that the defendants have infringed, but specifically admits"That they have manufactured a fabric according to the invention as set forth and described, or containe6 and patented, in and by the letters patent