Sargent v. Eureka Spund Apparatus Co.

Bradley, J.: • Tbe only question which seems here to require consideration is whether Bigelow, tbe defendant’s assignor, was a bona fide pur [20] chaser from "Warren of the improvement called the “ Eureka bung,” of which "Warren was the inventor, and what consequence may follow its determination. The invention of the projected apparatus was assigned by "Warren to Bigelow February 2, 1885. The letters-patent were issued June sixteenth, and on June 19, 1885, Bigelow assigned to the defendant company. Prior to the assignment to Bigelow an agreement had been, made by "Warren with the plaintiff which as between them gave to the latter rights which were violated by the assignment to Bigelow. These are assumed to be the facts upon the findings of the trial court for the purpose of this review, and it was there found that Bigelow had no notice of the agreement giving such right to the plaintiff until April' 14, 1885, and that before then he had paid upon the agreement, pursuant to which the assignment was made to him by "Warren, $983.76, and had incurred liability to pay others $653.87. These sums did not constitute the full amount Bigelow was required by the agreement to pay for the improvement. They were a part only of the purchase-price. The inquiry therefore arises as to the effect of partial performance only on the part of the purchaser, before notice of a prior equity or right of another in respect to the subject of the sale. It will be assumed that if Bigelow had, before he was chargeable with notice of such right of the plaintiff, paid the entire purchase-price his title >?ould be protected. It is otherwise if he had such notice before his relation of Iona fide purchaser was established. The trial court held that he was such at the time he was advised of the situation, although he had then paid a portion only of the purchase-money, and cites Werner v. Barden (49 N. Y., 286). That case does not seem- to support the proposition, nor do the cases cited by the defendant’s counsel necessarily sustain his contention in that respect. The character of iona fide purchaser must be completed before his title will have protection as against an outstanding equity. And his payments or performance subsequent to the time he becomes affected by notice of it will be treated as in his own wrong, and not available as against such equity for any purpose. The better reason would seem to be in support of the doctrine that when a purchaser is advised of a prior claim of another which denies to the seller, as against ‘him, the right to make the sale, he [21] should desist from proceeding further to complete his purchase, or if he thereafter proceeds in performance of his contract, do so subject to the equities of such party in whom rests the prior right; otherwise such outstanding rights may be defeated with a facility seemingly unreasonable as well as unjust. It might be accomplished by the payment of any amount of the purchase-money before notice and in good faith. The view here entertained is that the character of bona fide purchaser is not completed unless the whole amount of the purchase-money is paid before the purchaser becomes chargeable with notice of the outstanding equity. "While this rule may not have been distinctly declared by judicial authority in this State, there are cases here which bear in that direction and seem to support that proposition. ( Warner v. Winslow, 1 Sandf. Ch., 430, 435 ; Merritt v. Lambert, Hoff., 166, 170; Jewett v. Palmer, 7 Johns. Ch., 65; Frost v. Beekman, 1 Johns. Ch., 288, 301; Jackson v. Cadwell, 1 Cow., 622, 631.) It has been so held in other States and in England. (Nantz v. McPherson, 7 T. B. Monroe, 597; 18 Am. Dec., 216; Dugan v. Vattier, 3 Black., 245; 25 Am. Dec., 105; Lewis v. Phillips, 17 Ind., 108; 79 Am. Dec., 457; Burton v. Reagan, 75 Ind., 77; Warner v. Whittaker, 6 Mich., 133 ; 72 Am. Dec., 65.) And this rule is applicable until the contract is fully performed. (Bush v. Bush, 3 Strob. Eq., 131; 51 Am. Dec., 675 ; Doswell v. Buchanan, 3 Leigh., 365; 23 Am. Dec. 280.) But so far as the part performance is made in good faith and no further he may have protection or indemnity for reimbursement and for that purpose a hen for the amount so paid. (Stalker v. McDonald, 6 Hill, 96; Pickett v. Barron, 29 Barb., 508; Everts v. Agnes, 4 Wis., 343; 65 Am. Dec., 314; Hoffman v. Strohecker, 7 Watts, 86; 32 Am. Dec., 740; Rhodes v. Green, 36 Ind., 10; Beck v. Uhrich, 13 Penn. St., 636; S. C., 16 id., 499 ; Juvenal v. Jackson, 14 id., 519; Paul v. Fulton, 25 Mo., 156.) The application of this doctrine permits no undue advantage and gives protection to the rights of the parties. And so far as these propositions may be applicable to the facts and situation of the parties as they may appear in this case they should govern its determination. This protection to the defendant company should cover the amount of the purchase-money for which Bigelow, by way of performance of his contract, had in good faith become legally liable to pay persons [22] other than Warren, and the amount actually paid by him upon it before he became chargeable with notice of the plaintiffs claim. The plaintiff seeks by this action the assignment to him of one-half only of the patent that he may realize from it the advantages furnished by his contract with Warren. The other half it would seem the defendant company may, if it so desire, retain subject to the provisions of such contract. And whether it does or not so elect, further consideration by way of adjustment of rights may arise which it is unnecessary here to consider. The parties if so disposed may agree upon a modification of the judgment so as to accomplish the result. The judgment should be reversed and a new trial granted. Costs of this appeal to abide the final award of costs unless both parties consent and stipulate to modify the judgment so as to give effect to the views above expressed. And in that event the judgment he so modified and as modified affirmed, without costs of this appeal to either party. Smith, P. J, and IIaight, J., concurred. So ordered.