THE UTTER HELPLESSNESS OF A POOR INVENTOR TO OBTAIN JUSTICE
It is confessedly an enigma to many a man, why if an inventor is so
unlucky as not to possess the large sums of money required to engage
the services of competent attorneys, he must be content to see the
despoiler of the fruits of his labor enjoy it. And should he, the
inventor, be so indecorous as to accuse him of it, the law will
immediately fly to the assistance of his despoiler, and clap the
unlucky inventor in jail for libel.
Again, if a man, as member of a corporation, appropriates another
man's property the law does not permit him to retain it, or exempt
him from the consequences of this unlawful action by reason of any
limitation of responsibility as a member of a corporation. But,
should the corporation appropriate another man's invention, and after
expensive and long drawn-out litigations, the inventor should be
awarded damages from the company for exploiting his invention, all
the company has to do to avoid paying the award is to fail, and
the same individuals can re-organize to do the same business under
a new charter and name, and may steal the same inventor's patent
again, providing it pays it to do so, and the inventor would have to
commence to fight again in court.
[Illustration: WHY, OH WHY, IS THE STEALING OF ONE KIND OF PROPERTY A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE, ANOTHER ONLY A CIVIL TORT?
THE LAW IS VERY POWERFUL IN PROTECTING THE RIGHTFUL OWNER.
DAME JUSTICE WITH UNSHEATHED SWORD STANDS GUARD OVER THE CELLAR OF
POTATOES.
NO CLAIM UPON THE SERVICES OF THE COMMUNITY'S OFFICERS OF THE
LAW.]
Why, oh why, is the stealing of one kind of property a criminal
offense, and another only a civil tort?