UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE
WESTERN TELEGRAPH COMPANY V. MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH COMPANY, 62 U. S. 456 (1858)
62 U. S. 456U.S. Supreme Court
Western Telegraph Company v. Magnetic Telegraph Company, 62 U.S. 21 How. 456 456 (1858)
Western Telegraph Company v. Magnetic Telegraph Company
62 U.S. (21 How.) 456
Syllabus
Where there was a telegraph company from Baltimore to Wheeling, with branches to Washington and Pittsburg, and another company from Pittsburg to Philadelphia, and from Harrisburg to Baltimore, and the former company complained that the latter received messages at Philadelphia, sent from Pittsburg and Wheeling, directed to Baltimore and Washington, and there was no direct infringement of the patent right nor any violation of a contract, the case is without a legal remedy.
Every person is at liberty to use a circuitous route if he prefers it to a shorter route.
The case is stated in the opinion of the Court. clubjuris