Standard Parts Co. v. Peck, 264 U.S. 52 (1924)

Standard Parts Co. v. Peck


No. 160


Argued January 15, 1924
Decided February 18, 1924
264 U.S. 52

CERTIORARI TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT

Syllabus

One who is employed and paid by another to develop a process and machinery for manufacturing a specified product, and who patents an invention made by him in the course of the employment, holds the patent for his employer. P. 58.

282 F. 443 reversed.

Certiorari to a decree of the circuit court of appeals which reversed in part a decree of the district court in a suit brought by Peck to enjoin the Standard Parts Company from infringing his patent and for an accounting, etc. The district court adjudged the equities in the company’s favor and ordered Peck to assign to it the patent in question and any others, or applications therefor, based on inventions made by him in pursuance of his employment by the company’s predecessor. The court of appeals allowed the company only certain rights as licensee.