Welch v. International High Speed Steel Co.
Welch v. International High Speed Steel Co.
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
Pending determination by defendant as to whether it would enter into a final written contract with complainant for the making and selling under a license of complainant’s patented “Champion H. Bit,” intended for use in drilling operations, the complainant alleges that the defendant entered into an oral contract whereby the defendant agreed that it would manufacture the bits and appliances under complainant’s device, and would engage him as a salesman, at the weekly compensation of $25 and expenses, and would pay him a royalty of thirty-three and one-third per centum upon the net profits to be derived from
The learned vice-chancellor by agreement of the parties dealt only with the accounting feature of the bill, and referred that matter to a special master to state the account. The special master reported that there was due to complainant upon the royalty basis the sum of $666.66, and the report after argument was confirmed by the vice-chancellor, and from that decree this appeal has been taken.
The question is entirely one of fact. We tliink the privilege accorded to the defendant of manufacturing and vending the patented article during the interim preceding the proposed execution of the written contract, of which privilege it fully availed itself, was a sufficient consideration for the promise of payment made to the complainant as a basis for the oral agreement. The amount awarded to the- complainant was based upon the terms of the oral agreement, and that agreement having been vindicated by the finding of the special master, as well as by the approval of the vice-chancellor, our review of the facts has led us to conclude that the conclusion thus reached was correct.
The decree appealed from will be affirmed.
For affirmance — Tire Gluei'-Jostice, Sway,ze, Trehci-iaed, Parker, Bergeh, Mikturn-, Kalisci-i, Black, White, HepPENHEIMER, WILLIAMS, TAYLOR, GaRDKER, AcICERSOH-14.
For reversal — None.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Robert A. Welch v. International High Speed Steel Company
- Status
- Published