Burrell v. Hackley

Coxe, J. Nothing is before the court but the bill and plea, and all the allegations of the latter are admitted. The rule in this regard is well settled. By replying to a plea the complainant denies its [834] but admits its sufficiency; by setting it down for argument he admits its truth, but denies its sufficiency. In this case the complainants have chosen the latter course. They have admitted the facts, and have, in legal effect, demurred to the plea. Rhode Island v. Massachusetts, 14 Pet. 210; Myers v. Dorr, 13 Blatchf. 22; Birdseye v. Heilner, 26 Fed. Rep. 147; Cottle v. Krementz, 25 Fed. Rep. 494; Korn v. Wiebusch, 33 Fed. Rep. 50; Newton v. Thayer, 17 Pick. 129; Walk. Pat. § 590; Story, Eq. Pl. §697.. The counsel for the complainants has, apparently, overlooked this rule. In contending that an examination of the file-wrapper will show an abandoned application and a return' of the patent, he is unmindful of the fact that the complainants have expressly admitted that the proceedings am still pending, and that the patent is now in the possession and under the control of the commissioner. The simple question presented by the plea is this: Can a party who has surrendered his patent for reissue as inoperative or invalid maintain an action upon it while it is in the hands of the commissioner of patents, awaiting his decision? It is thought that he cannot. No controlling authority has been produced by the counsel or found by the court. But the reasoning of the opinions delivered in causes decided prior to the act of 1870 are all in support of the view here taken. Peck v. Collins, 103 U. S. 660; Moffitt v. Gaar, 1 Fish. Pat. Gas. 610, affirmed, 1 Black, 273; Forbes v. Stove Co., 2 Cliff. 385. It is true that under the present law the “surrender shall take effect upon the issue of the amended patent.” Rev. St. § 4916. But this language should not bo construed to mean that the status of the original patent undergoes no change after its return to the commissioner. To permit the patentee to surrender his patent as inoperative or invalid, and the next day commence an action upon it as a valid instrument, would lead to endless confusion and inconsistencies. The reissue may be granted, and all prior right of action be superseded. The patentees may have a contingent right of action depending upon the happening of some future event, but it is suspended during the time the commissioner retains jurisdiction upon the question of reissue. Having surrendered the patent, and having declared it to be inoperative or invalid, it is incumbent upon the patentee to present some proof that he has resumed control over it. The plea is allowed.