Derfus v. Stoelting Bros.
Derfus v. Stoelting Bros.
Opinion of the Court
The appellant received the right to manufacture and market the machine. The contract fixed the obligations of the parties. A sufficient consideration was given. The relinquishment by one party of a right to manufacture and sell a patented device, in consideration of another party’s promise to pay money therefor, amply meets all requirements in that particular. As the trial court found, Derfus gave up all right under his patent in exchange for the promise of appellant to pay a royalty on manufactured and sold machines and semiannually for a period of five years a minimum sum whether machines were made or sold or used or not.
Derfus was trying to perfect a machine to overcome difficulties resulting from cutting curd in a vat and then delivering it into a conventional curd mill. It appears by reference to the application for the patent that the common practice was first to cut the curd by hand within the vat and shovel it into a mill, generally placed on top of the vat. As the curd passed through the mill, it was again discharged into the vat, there to be mixed. This method of cutting and working the curd required hard work, and frequently resulted in crushing or breaking up of the curd. The machine was put in operation in several cheese factories and the operation was witnessed by appellant. The lack of perfection was apparent, but it performed well enough to interest appellant and to breed a hope of further improvement. As found by the court, Derfus’ statement that he would perfect the machine was not a misrepresentation. Miranovits v. Gee, 163 Wis. 246, 157 N. W. 790; Karls v. Drake, 168 Wis. 372, 170 N. W. 248; Graff v. Tinkham, 202 Wis. 141, 231 N. W. 593. All knew the existing conditions. All knew
By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Derfus, Administratrix v. Stoelting Brothers Company
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published