MILLIONS INVOLVED

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1933, Page 2

MILLIONS INVOLVED

JUDGE DISMISSES COSTLY CASE. ARTIFICIAL SILK IN COURT. LONDON, February 13. A legal battle involving millions of pounds, which began on November 1, 1932, lias ended in the Judge dismissing the case, I iritish Celanese, Ltd., sued Courtaulds, Ltd., for alleged infringement or tnem patents for making cellulose acetate silk.

Eight e.minent counsel were engaged in the case, which was heard by Air Justice Clauson.

Sir Henry Arthur Colefax, principal counsel for British Celanese Ltd., spoke for nearly five hours on the first day of the hearing, and his opening speech took three days to complete. In dismissing the case with costs, the Judge ordered the revocation of three of the British Celanese patents, thus the case endet in a victory for Ccurtaulds, Ltd. The hearing occupied thirty-five days and the costs amounted to £IOO daily.

Hundreds of documents, which took over a year to prepare, were placed before the Court during the hearing, and every bench in the court was piled high with stacks of plans and specifications dtiring the early day s of the trial. On one table were a number of spools of thread use dfor making the material. They were exhibits in the ease. Women’s garments made of artificial silk were also among the exhibits.

Scores of expert witnesses gave evidence. British Celanese has an authorised capital of £10,450,000. The directors include Sir Williant Alexander, AI.P., Dr C. Dreyfus and Dr AT. Soller. Courtaulds, Ltd., which is one of the largest artificial silk companies in the world, lias an authorised capital of £32,000,000. Mr Samuel Courauld is chairman of the company.