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''Printing and Numerical Registering Co v Sampson'' (1875) 19 Eq 462 is an
English contract law English contract law is the body of law that regulates legally binding agreements in England and Wales. With its roots in the lex mercatoria and the activism of the judiciary during the industrial revolution, it shares a heritage with countries ...
and patent case. It is most notable for strong advocacy of the principle of
freedom of contract Freedom of contract is the process in which individuals and groups form contracts without government restrictions. This is opposed to government regulations such as minimum-wage laws, competition laws, economic sanctions, restrictions on pri ...
put forward by Sir George Jessel MR. The strict principles expressed were mostly abandoned over the 20th century, as summarised by
Lord Denning Alfred Thompson "Tom" Denning, Baron Denning (23 January 1899 – 5 March 1999) was an English lawyer and judge. He was called to the bar of England and Wales in 1923 and became a King's Counsel in 1938. Denning became a judge in 1944 whe ...
MR in '' George Mitchell (Chesterhall) Ltd v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd''.


Facts

The Printing and Numerical Registering Co sued Sampson for breaching a patent agreement. Sampson and other shareholders in the company had made a contract to sell "all future patent rights" to the company. Sampson began using the information covered by the patent in his own business. The company sued. Sampson argued his agreement should be void and be considered as being contrary to public policy because it lasted for so long.


Judgment

Sir George Jessel MR held that the contract was valid and remarked,(1875) 19 Eq 462, 465


See also

*
English contract law English contract law is the body of law that regulates legally binding agreements in England and Wales. With its roots in the lex mercatoria and the activism of the judiciary during the industrial revolution, it shares a heritage with countries ...


Notes

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References

* English trusts case law Court of Appeal (England and Wales) cases 1875 in British law 1875 in case law