ALLMANNA SVENSKA ELEKTRISKA AKTIEBOLAGET v. BURNTISLAND SHIPBUILDING COMPANY, LTD.

[1951] 2 Lloyd's Rep. 211

CHANCERY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Lloyd-Jacob.

Patent - Ship propulsion - High speed diesel engines - Electro-magnetic coupling - Infringement - Novelty - Non-utility-Action brought by plaintiffs (Swedish company) seeking an injunction restraining defendants (British shipbuilding company) from supplying and installing in ships a diesel power unit which included a particular form of electro-magnetic coupling between the engine and the mechanical reduction gear - Alleged infringement of plaintiffs' letters patent published in United Kingdom in 1936-Claim for damages-Plea by defendants that plaintiffs' letters patent were invalid by reason of (a) prior publication; (b) prior common general knowledge-Counterclaim by defendants for revocation-Evidence of British and foreign letters patent published before 1936-Consideration of specifications therein contained.