Printing and Numerical Registering Co. v. Sampson
Rolls Court
19 EQ. 462 (Rolls Ct. 1875)
- Written by Brianna Pine, JD
Facts
Simon Sampson (defendant) and several others (collectively, the inventors) patented a numbering and printing machine. The inventors later formed the Printing and Numerical Registering Company (the company) (plaintiff) to manufacture and sell machines covered by the patent. The inventors assigned their patent rights to the company in exchange for shares and agreed to several covenants, including promises not to compete with the company or to act in a manner inconsistent with the company’s ownership of the patent. A dispute later arose when Sampson allegedly violated these covenants. The company brought an action seeking specific performance of the contract. Sampson responded that the contract was unfair and contrary to public policy.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Jessel, M.R.)
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