VERMONT FARM MACHINE CO. V. MA.RBLB.
this motion, it is admitted that round bent wire is used. The only question is whether such use is an infringement. Upon the decision of a motion for a preliminary injunction against the infringement of a patent which has been sustained by a previous adjudication, it is proper, as a general rule, to follow the construction of the patent which was given upon such adjudication, provided the conbtruction was given with deliberation and thoughtfulness in the use of language. Judge BLATCHFORD says in his opinion that the specification uses the word "bent" as synonymous with the word "twisted;" and further says: "The hoop of the claim must be a spring hoop twisted substantially in the manner described in the patent. This construction is neces· sary to sustain the claim, in view of the state of the art as shown." I do not mean to say that the question in regard to the proper con· struction of the patent is to be considered as finally settled by the decision in the Marks Case, but, for the purposes of this motion, it is not expedient to depart from Judge BLATCHFORD'S construction, whicb was carefully given. The motion is denied.
VERMONT FARM MACHINE
Co. and others v.
MARBLE,
Com'r, etc.
(Oi1'cuit Court, D. Vermont.
April 12, 1884.)
1.
JURISDICTION OF CIRCUIT COUR'f-ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE.
By accepting service of process the defendant, in a suit arising under the patent laws, subjects himself to the jurisdictiou of a court, sitting in a district of which he is not a resident. The United States courts have jurisdiction of bills to obtain the issue of patents refused by the commissioner.
2. SAME-BILL TO SECURE A PATENT.
S. SAME-WANT OF POWER TO ENFORCE DECREE.
1'he fact that a circuit court cannot compel the commissioner of patents to obey its decree is no object.ion to its jurisdiction to entertain a bill against him for the purpose of obtaining a decree in favor of the orator's right to a patent. It is presumed that he will do his duty
In Equity. Frank T. Brown, for commissioner. William. E. Simonds, for orators. WHEELER, J. The bill was brought for an adjudication that the orators were entitled to a patent, pursuant· to section 4915, Rev. St. The defendant accepted service of the subprena to have the same ef· fect as if duly served on him by a proper officer, and acknowledged receipt ofa eopy, but did not appear in court, nor made any objection to proceeding to decree. After hearing the orators, a decree was made and entered in their favor. 19 FED. REP. 307. The present commissioner now moves for a rehearing, principally upon the ground
,,118
FEDERAL REPORTEij.
of alleged want of jurisdiction of this court. One mode of attempting to show that this court has not jurisdiction is by claiming that the supreme court of the District of Columbia has exclusive jurisdiction. The language of this section, however, seems to preclude thiR idea. It re,ads : "Whenever a patent, on application, is refused, either by the commissioner of patents or by the supreme court of the District of Columbia upon appeal from the commissioner, the applicant may have remedy by bill in equity."
This seems to clearly imply that the remedy may be elsewhere. FED. REP. 117. Another, and the principal mode is by claiming that no circuit court of a district away from the patent-()ffice, and in which the commissioner does not reside, can acquire jurisdiction of such cases. The circuit courts bave original jurisdiction,-ninth, of all suits at law or in equity arising under the patent or copyright laws of the United States. Rev. St. § 629. This is, unquestionably, a suit so arising. There is no restriction upon proceeding in these courts in such cases except that civil suits against inhabitants of the United States are not to be brought by original process in any other district than that in which the defendant resides or is found at the time of service. Id. § 739. The court had general jurisdiction of this subject, and the defendant by his acceptance of service consented to be found in this district; and did not appear in court to objeot to being bound by his consent. In Ex parte Schollenberger, 96 U. S. 369, Mr. Chief Justice WAITE, in delivering the opinion of the court, says: Whipple v. Mine1', 15 "The act of congress prescribing the place where a person lllay be sued is not one the general jurisdiction of the courts. It is rather in the nature of a personal exemption in favor of a defendant, and one which he may waive. If the citizenship of the parties is sufficient a defendant may consent to be sued anywhere he pleases. and certainly jurisdiction will not be ousted because he has consented."
Here no question was made before; now where one on this subject is made it is not whether the commissioner can be compelled to an· swer, but whether he can consent to be sued away from the seat of government aIld his residence. Prentiss v. Ellsworth, Mirror of Pat. Off. 85; Laws Dig. 103; Whart. Dig. 365, raised the question as to the compulsion and not as to the consent, and it was held upon apparently sound reasoning by RANDALL, J., that the commissioner could not be compelled by process issuing out of the cirouit court for the Eastern district of Pennsylvania to answer there. The question of jurisdiction founded on consent did not arise. It is further objected against the jurisdiction here that the court here could not compel obedience of the commissioner at the patent. office to its decree. It is to be presumed, however, that a high officer of a department of the government WIll do his duty without compulsion, or even command, from any quarter, especially in a matter where he has no interest, nor the government any, except that the
NA.T. WIRE MA.TTRESS CO. V. NEW YORK BRAIDED-WIllE MATTRESS CO.
119
duty be done. This provision of the statute is framed according to this view. The court does not decree that the commis8ioner shall issue a patent, but only "may adjudge that such applicant is entitled according to law to receive a patent for his invention as specified in his claim, or for any part thereof, as the facts in the case IDa,y appear. And such adjudication, if it be in favor of the right of the applicant, shall authorize the commissioner to issue such patent," etc. Granting the permission expressed the will of congress, which would be sufficient. Neither the adjudication nor issuing the patent under it will conclude any individual rights. The validity of the patent will be open to trial under the law. But if the patent is not granted no suit for infringement can be brought, and the right to the invention cannot be judicially tested. This jurisdiction has been exercised with· out challenge, except in Prentiss v. Ellsworth, supra. Ellithorpe v. Robertson, 2 Fish. 83. As this case is now considered the jurisdiction upon the consent of the commissioner seems to be ample. The question involved in the case on the merits was purely one of law, requir. ing the production of no models or exhibits, and no personal attend· ance, and might well be submitted anywhere. Whether, under the circumstances, it should be submitted here rested in the discretion of the commissioner. His act, in this respect, is binding upon his successor, like any other lawful act, and it oppresses no one. This ground presents no reason that appears to be sufficient for opening the case. All the grounds now urged on the merits of the application for the patent were fully considered before, and no sufficient reason appears for going over the ground again. The motion is denied.
NATIONAL WIRE MATTRESS Co. 'V. NEW YORK BRAIDED-WIRE MAT'l'RESS Co.
(Uircuit Oourt, S. D, New York. 1. PATENTs-BED-BoTTOM-INFRINGEMENT.
April 23,1884.)
validity, is infringed by a bed-bottom of wires, linked together at the of diamond-shaped figures, and connected at each end to the ends of the frame by splings. 2. SAME-NOVELTY.
if restricted within the limits of the original claims which is essential to thei;
Neithe" the first claim of reissued letters No. 5,312 nor reissues 9,919 or 9920
The third claim of reissue 5,312, foran iron corner piece with a flange is void having been substantially anticipated by patent No. 113,559. · ,
In Equity. Charles E. Mitchell and Benj. F. Thurston, for orator Ge01'ge W. Dyer, for defendant.