Godfrey v. Eames
United States Supreme Court
68 U.S. (1 Wall.) 317, 17 L. Ed. 684 (1864)
- Written by Eric Miller, JD
Facts
Godfrey (plaintiff) invented a boot tree, which he offered for sale to the public in 1854. In January 1855, Godfrey applied for a patent on the invention. Although the patent application was rejected by the commissioner later that year, it was not withdrawn by Godfrey until April 24, 1857. On the same date, Godfrey submitted a new application for the same invention, changing the description to follow a suggestion by the commissioner. The patent was issued in 1858. Godfrey brought suit against Eames (defendant) for infringement. Eames argued that Godfrey’s 1854 sale of the invention—more than two years before the second filing—triggered a statutory bar and invalidated the patent. The circuit court ruled in favor of Eames. Godfrey appealed. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Swayne, J.)
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