Acme Flexible Clasp Co. v. Cary Mfg. Co.

99 F. 500 | U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Southern New York | 1899

‘ TOWNSEND, District Judge.

Motion to reopen case and for a rehearing. On final bearing, tbe court held that tbe patent was valid, and was infringed. 96 Fed. 344. Tbe defendant now .moves for a rehearing, on the ground that the court misunderstood the effect of the testimony of one of the witnesses, because the inflections in his voice were not produced in print, and on the further ground of newly-discovered evidence. An examination of the affidavit of said witness fails to satisfactorily show that the court misunderstood his testimony. Furthermore, it is extremely doubtful whether said testimony, if understood as counsel for defendant now claims it should be, would be sufficient to justify a decision denying the validity of this patent. The other evidence shows that its validity had been acquiesced in by tbe public for 13 years. It is clear that the mo lion on the ground of newly-discovered evidence should be denied. The affidavits show that, although the defendant was informed by the testimony of Mr. Mead, long before the final hearing, that tea coopers used, in coopering teas in this country, fasteners similar to the alleged anticipating Chinese fasteners, yet no evidence of tea coopers was introduced at final hearing. The defendant inis now produced several tea coopers, who claim, but witli considerable indefiniteness, that the use of such fasteners was common in this country prior to the invention in suit. In these circumstances, to now permit the introduction of this evidence would violate the fundamental rules applicable to such motions. The questions herein involved are strikingly like those presented to, and disposed of, by Mr. Justice Story in Baker v. Whiling, 1 Story, 218, Fed. Cas. No. 786. The motion is denied.