"Selden Patent Overthrown by Federal Court," 1911

Summary

The Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers believed that George Selden's 1895 patent covered any and all internal combustion automobiles. When Henry Ford refused to pay ALAM's requested royalties, the organization took him to court. After a lengthy legal battle, the U.S. Court of Appeals found in Ford's favor in 1911. Automakers were freed from patent fees and Ford became a folk hero.

The Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers believed that George Selden's 1895 patent covered any and all internal combustion automobiles. When Henry Ford refused to pay ALAM's requested royalties, the organization took him to court. After a lengthy legal battle, the U.S. Court of Appeals found in Ford's favor in 1911. Automakers were freed from patent fees and Ford became a folk hero.

Artifact

Clipping (Information artifact)

Date Made

10 January 1911

Subject Date

09 January 1911

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

86.185.112

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Henry Austin Clark, Jr.

Material

Newsprint

Dimensions

Height: 23 in

Width: 2.75 in

Inscriptions

handwritten at top in pencil: [__] Y. Herald

Related Content

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More