The ‘Selden Affair’ finally came to an end after the Supreme Court in the US recognised that George Selden’s 1895 patent for the internal combustion engine was ‘valid’ but had not been violated by US and European car manufacturers


Tuesday 12th November 1912

The ‘Selden Affair’ finally came to an end after the Supreme Court in the US recognised that George Selden’s 1895 patent for the internal combustion engine was ‘valid’ but had not been violated by US and European car manufacturers. Selden had tried to establish his monopoly rights to the internal combustion engine and had sued the Winton Motor Carriage Co., winning the case and the payment of arrears and royalties. This verdict had the effect of causing 10 manufacturers, including Pope, Winton, Olds and Panchard to form ALAM – the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers, to defend themselves against further demands from Selden. Selden in turn agreed, in return for a raoyalty of 1.25% to prosecute any competitor who was not a member of the ALAM. Cars manufactured by members of the ALAM displayed a plaque which said that they were manufactured ‘under the Selden License’. This absurd situation was finally ‘busted’ on behalf of the Ford Motor Co. in 1905, as part of the litigation, a car was made in accordance with the original Selden Patent’s specification and the misleading date of 1877 was painted on its side. With some difficulty and at little speed the car covered 1,400ft under its own power, which scarcely convinced the Court of its practicality.


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