From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Legal dispute and patent case between Autovac and Grav-Vac.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 40\4\ Scan228 | |
| Date | 7th March 1927 | |
| BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from ROY.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to WGR. c. to Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} c. to AS. c. to HE. c. to Wn. X3579 ROY{Sir Henry Royce}1/7.3.27 Higginson and Arundel v.{VIENNA} Pyman Autovac v.{VIENNA} Grav-Vac -------------------- As you are aware, for some years the Autovac Company have attacked any party placing on the Market an apparatus comparable with their own, and in May 1924, took action against the Grav-Vac Syndicate; the result of this being that Justice Russell, in the Chancery Division, on December 11th.1925, stated the Grav-Vac was a valid Patent. On December 21st 1925, the Autovac Company wrote us as copy attached, and a similar letter, I understand, was addressed to the Motor Industry as a whole; their idea being to hold a threat over our heads and keep other would-be suppliers off the Market. The Appeal was heard in May 1926, and three Judges unanimously upheld the Russell Judgment; but not until the 26th February 1927 - following pressure from myself - did the Autovac Company issue a letter (copy attached) notifying their intention not to carry the case further. Printed copy of the Russell Judgment is enclosed herewith to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Will he kindly circulate it amongst the others mentioned above, and let me have it back in due course. The salient points are underlined in red. The Judge's remarks (Page 136) on the Autovac alleged Invention are very scathing. Personally I feel the Autovac Company for some years have taken an unfair advantage of the Motor Industry, and made us pay an abnormal figure for their apparatus to cover the legal costs they have incurred, or might incur. I hope we shall find it possible to fit the Grav-Vac apparatus in due course, and have asked them, i.e. the Grav-Vac people, to let us know their present position, and if they are able to put forward proposals. ROY.{Sir Henry Royce} ENCLOSURES. Judgment (printed copy) to BY copy of letter from Autovac. 21.12.25 copy of letter from Autovac. 26.2.27 | ||