[D9241ABG], Letter from Sherburne Blake Eaton to Thomas Alva Edison, May 19th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9241ABG
Transcription
Letterhead of Eaton & Lewis Law Offices May 19, 1892, Thomas A. Edison Esq., Orange, N.J. Dear Sir:- Your favor of the 16th inst., enclosing copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Edison United Phonograph Company, together with duplicate assignments of phonograph patents for Cape Colony, was duly received. I have examined these two assignments, and find that they contain a reservation of your right to use the patents covered thereby for dolls, toys, toy figures and clocks, and that they may therefore be executed by you. I return these assignments herewith. With regard to the other matter mentioned in your letter, namely, the assignments which, under your instructions, I am holding pending the delivery to you of certain return licenses, I would state that it is a fact that only those assignments relating to Germany, Austria, and Italy are of such a nature as require return licenses. The others contain a reservation of your rights for dolls, toys, toy figures and clocks, and therefore may be delivered to the Edison United Phonograph Company, if you so desire. Such delivery would not affect your rights as to dolls, etc., so far as concerns the other countries for which return licenses will be required. If you decide to authorize me to deliver the assignments which contains a reservation of your rights, please write me to that effect. In such case, I would also suggest that you write the Edison United Phonograph Company about as follows: Edison United Phonograph Company, Gentlemen:- “Referring to the assignment of certain foreign patents to your Company, now being held by my attorney, Mr. Eaton, pending the delivery of certain return licenses from you, I would state that under the peculiar circumstances of the case, and as I am at present advised, I have decided to deliver to your company such of the said assignments as contain a reservation in my favor as to dolls, toys, toy figures and clocks. These documents may be obtained by you from Mr. Eaton upon application, and upon your handing to him a letter of your company promising to execute and deliver formal licenses for the reserved rights, in case the same should at any time hereafter be required by the laws of such countries.” Yours truly,” I think the above will cover the necessary points in this matter, and trusting the same will be found satisfactory, I remain. Very truly yours, [Signed] S.B. Eaton <Letter mailed [united?] on May 28/92. –M>