Gibson v. American Graphophone Co.

COXE, Circuit Judge (after stating the facts as above). [1,2] The question presented by this appeal is whether the complainants are entitled to an accounting in view of their failure to comply with the law as provided by section 4900 of the Revised Statutes. This section provides inter alia that it shall be the duty of all patentees to give notice that the article made by them is patented, “either by affixing thereon the word ‘patented’ together with the day and year the patent was granted; or, when from the character of the article, this cannot be done, by fixing to it, or to the package wherein one or more of them is inclosed, a label containing the like notice. In any suit for infringement, by the party failing so to mark, no damages shall be recovered by the plaintiff, except on proof that the defendant was duly notified of the infringement, and continued, after such notice, to make, use, or vend the article so patented.” There is no pretense that the complainants have complied with that part of the statute which requires notice to be affixed to the patented article but it is argued that the defendants were duly notified of the infringement “and continued after such notice to make, use, or vend the article so patented.” Various defenses are urged by the defendants-appellees, but we deem it necessary to consider only the defense which Judge Mayer held to be established, viz., the noncompliance with the provisions of section 4900, first, because they did not put the notice required by law upon their sound boxes and second,'because they did not give the defendants notice orally or in writing of the infringement claimed by them. In Dunlap v. Schofield, 152 U. S. 244, 14 Sup. Ct. 576, 38 L. Ed. 426, Mr. Justice Gray says the clear meaning of the statute is that if the patentee makes or sells the patented article he cannot recover damages— [635] "‘unless tie lias given notice of Ms right, either to the whole public by marking his article ‘patented.,’ or to the particular defendants by informing them of his patent and of their infringement of it.” Whether this notice was given depends upon whether Burns or Gibson is to be credited. There was a sharp controversy between the two men. Their testimony was taken in open court, and the trial judge had the great advantage of seeing and hearing both. He accepted the version given by Burns. Under such circumstances we think we should not reverse the conclusion so reached. The personal equation is a very important element in determining such questions. The narratives of two witnesses may seem equally persuasive on paper and yet the difference in their manner and deportment may be so marked that no two intelligent men would differ as to which should be credited. The complainants could have put all question on this subject beyond doubt by giving the notice required by section 4900; having failed to do so the burden was on them to prove that actual notice was given. The trial court has found that they have not sustained the burden and we think we should not disturb this finding, especially is this so when the trial court had the advantage of seeing and hearing the witnesses. The decree is affirmed with costs of this court to the appellees.