6455. PATENTS, Regulation of.—
A rule
has occurred to me, which I think, would * * *
go far towards securing the citizen against the
vexation of frivolous patents. It is to consider
the invention of any new mechanical
power, or of any new combination of the mechanical
powers already known, as entitled to
an exclusive grant; but that the purchaser of
the right to use the invention should be free
to apply it to every purpose of which it is
susceptible.—
To Thomas Cooper. Washington ed. vi, 372.
(M.
1814)
