Rodriguez v. Western Union Telegraph Co.

Plaintiff’s alleged idea or plan could not be made the subject of a property right in the absence of its protection by contract prior to disclosure. (Bristol v. Equitable Life Assur. Society, 132 N. Y. 264; Williamson v. New York Central R. R. Co., 258 App. Div. 226.) We hold it established on this record that defendant Western Union Telegraph Company’s agent, with whom the claimed oral agreement for compensation was made, had no authority on behalf of said defendant to make any binding contract such as is claimed herein either within the scope of express or apparent authority; and, assuming…