[78-L] Columbia Lamination Patent Notice

[Geoffrey Wheeler]

Recently on 78-List there was discussion regarding the Columbia 
Phonograph lamination patent and steps the corporation took to protect 
it by providing public notice on its record sleeves. From a (private) 
Office Communication on Columbia Recording Corporation letterhead dated 
Thursday, December 21, 1939 from Charles B. Seton.

“I pointed out to Mr. Taylor that while the patent number for 
lamination was not on the Columbia red label, it was on the record 
envelope in which the red label records are placed. Mr. Taylor stated 
that he had noticed this, but he felt that under the circumstances, it 
was immaterial, and in any event, that it could not possibly prejudice 
our rights. It is to be remembered that this record envelope is used 
both for the popular Columbia and certain of the blue label Columbias 
which are laminated. Mr. Taylor seemed to think that at least for the 
time being, the inconsistency is immaterial and might well be 
overlooked. [The “Restricted Use Notice” on a Columbia Phonograph Inc. 
sleeve reads: “This record is manufactured and sold under United States 
Patents No.1637544, 1625205, RE. 16588, 1702564 (and other U.S. patents 
pending) and is licensed by the manufacturer only for non-commercial 
use on phonographs in homes.” The notice on a Columbia Recording 
Corporation ‘Masterworks’ sleeve reads: “Manufactured under U.S. Pat. 
No. 1,702,564 and Pat. Pending.” The patent for Columbia’s lamination 
process is No. 1,702,564 “Record Disk for Talking Machines and the 
Like,” issued Feb. 19, 1929. Patent application was filed October 17, 
1924, Serial No. 744,257. To wit: William Forse, of London, England, 
assignor to Columbia Phonograph company Inc., Bridgeport, Connecticut, 
a Corporation of New York.”