Judges and Dress Improvers

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 105, 5 April 1888, Page 3

Judges and Dress Improvers

The Lord Chief Justice of England and Lord Justices Cotton and Bowen, concluded, a few days ago, the argument! of the celebrated ' Dress Improver' case which created so much amusement in Mr Justice Kekewich's Court some months ago. The plaintiffs allege infringement of a patent in 'dress improvers,' and upon the appeal of the plaintiffs from the decision of Mr Justice Kekewich against them, the mam question for decision was whether there could be novelty in the application of braided wire to * dress improvers.' It was asserted that fcaif a million of these articles had been sold, and the inventor claimed that they were ' cooler and more comiortable than any similar design, and able to support the heaviestdress.' The Court presented a 'singular scene. It was littered with various kinds of dress improvers, the occupants of the Bench being provided with specimens of the disputed invention. Counsel enforced their arguments by gesticulations, with dress improvers in Ibeir hands, with white tapes flying, to the evident amusement of the spectators assembled. Mr Moulton. Q.C., urged that although braided wire had been used foi ousbions, its use for dress improvers was a novelty capable of being protected by a patent. Lord Justice Bowen asked if he would say that there was a difference between a pillow and a dress improver both of which served as rests (Laughter.) The Lord Chief Justice : Surely a dress improver is in the nature of a cushion. If one may say so, it is in the nature oi padding. (Great laughter.) The Lore! Chief Justice intimated that the further bearing would be postponed for evidence

on one point.