Selden Licenses Automobile Patent to Electric Vehicle Company

Selden Licenses Automobile Patent to Electric Vehicle Company

On November 4, 1899, George B. Selden granted the Electric Vehicle Company an exclusive license under his automobile patent, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s historical account. A Smithsonian museum catalog corroborates the date, describing a contract between Selden and the company. [1][2] ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/report-mobile-vehicle-industry/390605motorvehicleindustry.pdf))

The agreement concerned U.S. Patent No. 549,160, issued on November 5, 1895, for a vehicle powered by an internal-combustion engine. The Smithsonian identifies the licensee as the manufacturer of Columbia electric automobiles in Hartford, Connecticut. [1][2] ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/report-mobile-vehicle-industry/390605motorvehicleindustry.pdf))

The Electric Vehicle Company subsequently brought patent-infringement suits against automobile manufacturers, dealers and users. The FTC dates its action against the Winton Motor Carriage Company to 1900 and reports that the litigation continued until 1903. These enforcement actions followed the licensing agreement; they were not events of November 4, 1899. [1] ([ftc.gov](https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/report-mobile-vehicle-industry/390605motorvehicleindustry.pdf))

Sources: 1. Report on Motor Vehicle Industry — Federal Trade Commission, 1939, pp. 42–43. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/report-mobile-vehicle-industry/390605motorvehicleindustry.pdf 2. Catalog of the Automobile and Motorcycle Collection of the Division of Engineering, United States National Museum — Smithsonian Institution, 1950, pp. 7–8. https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/10167/USNMB_1981950_unit.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1 3. The Selden Patent — Staten Island Region, Antique Automobile Club of America. https://siraaca.aaca.com/the-selden-patent/