Tool Metal Mfg Co ltd v Tungsten Electric Co Ltd
| Tool Metal Mfg Co Ltd v Tungsten Electric Co Ltd | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Court | House of Lords |
| Full case name | Tool Metal Mfg Co Ltd v Tungsten Electric Co Ltd |
| Decided | 16 June 1955 |
| Citation(s) | [1955] 2 All ER 657 |
| Case history | |
| Subsequent action(s) | none |
| Court membership | |
| Judge(s) sitting | Viscount Simonds, Lord Oaksey, Lord Reid, Lord Tucker, Lord Cohen |
Tool Metal Mfg Co Ltd v Tungsten Electric Co Ltd [1955] 2 All ER 657 is a cited case regarding promissory estoppel.[1]
Background
Tool Metal was set up by its German parent company Krupp to manage its tungsten carbide patents in England.
TMM later took legal action against TEC for breach of its patent in their manufacturing of machine tools. TEC ultimately decided to enter into a licensing agreement with TMM rather than fight the matter in court.
On the onset of World War II in 1939, TMM agreed to suspend its licensing fees from TEC.
In 1945, with the war coming to an end, TMM tried to reinstate the licensing fees again, with little success.
TMM ultimately sued TEC for the licensing fees.
Held
The court held that TMM were entitled to reinstate the licensing fees, as long as reasonable notice was given, which in this case was from 1 January 1947.