George v. Victor Talking Machine Co. — 293 U.S. 377

Majority

p. 377

GEORGE v. VICTOR TALKING MACHINE CO.

No. 128.

Argued December 5, 1934.

Decided December 17, 1934.

p. 378

Mr. Minitree Jones Fulton, with whom Messrs. Robert L. Nase and Q. C. Davis, Jr., were on the brief, for petitioner.

Mr. Louis Levinson, with whom Messrs. Robert P. Myers, Lawrence B. Morris, I. E. Lambert, and Isaac D. Levy were on the brief, for respondent.

Review was limited to the question of the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court of Appeals. The suit was brought for the infringement of the common law right of property in a song, and the bill sought an accounting of profits made by the defendant. The District Court sustained the plaintiff's right as author and found infringement. Decree was entered granting an injunction and appointing a special master to take and state an account of profits and to report to the court, with the usual provisions for exceptions to the report. The decree was interlocutory. The Palmyra, 10 Wheat. 502 ; Perkins v. Fowrniquet, 6 How. 206 , 208, 209; Craighead v. Wilson, 18 How. 199 , 202 (explaining Forgay v. Conrad, 6 How. 201 ); Beebe v. Russell, 19 How. 283 , 287; Humiston v. Stainthorp, 2

p. 379

Wall. 106 ; Keystone Manganese Co. v. Martin, 132 U. S. 91 , 93, 97; McGourkey v. Toledo & Ohio Central Ry. Co., 146 U. S. 536 , 547; Guarantee Co. v. Mechanics’ Savings Bank & Trust Co., 173 U. S. 582 , 586; Simmons Co. v. Grier Brothers Co., 258 U. S. 82 , 89. The decree was entered on March 31, 1933, and the appeal to the Circuit Court of Appeals was not taken until May 18, 1933. The Circuit Court of Appeals entertained the appeal and reversed the decree of the District Court. As the appeal was not taken within the time prescribed by law, the Circuit Court of Appeals was without jurisdiction. Jud. Code, § 129, 28 U. S. C. 227. The decree of the Circuit Court of Appeals is reversed and the cause is remanded to that court with directions to dismiss the appeal.

Reversed.

Cases cited

The Palmyra 10 Wheat. 502 SCOTUS 1825-02-20 p. 378
Perkins v. Fourniquet 6 How. 206 SCOTUS at 209 p. 378
Craighead v. Wilson 18 How. 199 SCOTUS p. 378
Forgay v. Conrad 6 How. 201 SCOTUS p. 378
Beebe v. Russell 19 How. 283 SCOTUS p. 378
Keystone Manganese & Iron Co. v. Martin 132 U. S. 91 SCOTUS 1889-11-11 at 97 p. 379
McGourkey v. Toledo & Ohio Central Railway Co. 146 U. S. 536 SCOTUS 1892-12-19 p. 379
Guarantee Co. v. Mechanics' Savings Bank & Trust Co. 173 U. S. 582 SCOTUS 1899-04-03 p. 379
John Simmons Co. v. Grier Bros. 258 U. S. 82 SCOTUS 1922-02-27 p. 379