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 risks of patent infringement concerning the use of Lodge Screened Aero Plugs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 58\2\ Scan207 | |
| Date | 1st July 1935 | |
| V6000. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. from Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}7/TI.7.35. I have considered the proposal to use Lodge Screened Aero Plugs under indemnity from Messrs. Lodge Plugs Ltd., to which you draw attention in Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst4/MA.21.5.35. The position in reference to the use of these Plugs has not changed in any respect since it was investigated in 1933. Both BY and Wn then drew attention to the danger of our being involved in an infringement action, and we have been clearly warned by S. Smith & Sons (Motor Accessories) Ltd., that they will take action against us if we use the Lodge Screened Plugs. Smith & Son control K.L.G., who are the owners of the master patent covering screened plugs (British Patent 166680). I am advised by Wn that the scope of the proposed indemnity would require considerably extending before it became acceptable, but apart from the indemnity, I am absolutely averse to our using a device which, to our knowledge, infringes an existing patent, and the proper course is for Lodge Plugs Ltd. to clear away their difficulties with K.L.G. instead of involving us as they seek to do in an action in which we shall appear to the public as infringers of K.L.G's patent. Lodge Plugs Ltd., know our views which were very plainly put to them in BY.10/G of 17th October, 1932. I am not prepared to agree to a course of action which will involve this Company in litigation, and until Lodge Plugs Ltd., settle the situation with K.L.G., the Lodge Screened Plug should not be used. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} | ||