TALBOT8329

[draft:]

Lacock

March 7/61

Hogarth
I must decline an interv^w w^th M^r Pretsch, on the subj^t of his invⁿ

With respect to y^rself I am sorry to say that I am so much engaged for the near during this week & next, that I could not convent^ly be remain at home to receive you I think that any communicⁿ w^ch y. may wish to make had better be made by letter

In ans^r to your questⁿ I do not wish at pres^t to give a lic^se to any person to use the whole of my pat^t. You spoke of form^g a com^py of limited liability Altho¡ I must decline to take a share in it, I w^d be will^g to give li^cse to the Com^py to use so much of my pat^t as is requisite required to carry out M^r Pretsch's electrotype process. This w^d free you f^m all risk of litigatⁿ.

With respect to the terms I have consulted bⁿ advised by a legal friend who has ^considbl legal knowledge not to accept any share in the net profits of any Com^py as that might be held ^{in law} to constitute a partnership altho' not so intended: A share in the gross receipts is a safe arrang^t & freq^ly made I would give you the necess^y lic^se to use that portⁿ of my pat^{t wch I have specified,} in considerⁿ of 3 p^r cent upon the gross receipts of the Com^py It w^d be necess^y

But Whether or not we make this arr^gt I shall have g^t pleasure in showing you the further f^m time to time the further ^{progress &} results of my inventⁿ Some engrgs that have bⁿ pro^cd since I saw you are I think worth your seeing, & I will forward them to copies of them to you shortly.

[expanded version:]

Lacock

March 7, 1861
Hogarth

I must decline an interview with M^r Pretsch, ¹ on the subject of his invention.

With respect to yourself I am sorry to say that I am so much engaged for the near during this week & next, that I could not conveniently be remain at home to receive you I think therefore that any communication which you may wish to make had better be made by letter

In answer to your question I do not wish at present to give a license to any person to use the whole of my patent. You spoke of forming a company ² of limited liability Although I must decline to take a share in it, I would be willing to give license to the Company to use so much of my patent as is requisite required to carry out M^r Pretsch's electrotype process. ³ This would free you from all risk of litigation.

With respect to the terms I have consulted been advised by a legal friend who has considerable legal knowledge not to accept any share in the net profits of any Company as that might be held in law to constitute a partnership although not so intended: A share in the gross receipts is a safe arrangement & frequently made I would give you the necessary license to use that portion of my patent which I have specified, in consideration of 3 per cent upon the gross receipts of the Company It would be necessary

But Whether or not we make this arrangement I shall have great pleasure in showing you the further from time to time the further progress and results of my invention Some engravings that have been produced since I saw you are I think worth your seeing, & I will forward them to copies of them to you shortly.