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Useful

Defined in 1 dictionary — Black's (1910)

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

By "useful," in the patent law, is meant not an invention in all cases superior to the modes now in use for the same purposes, but "useful," in contradistinction to frivolous and mischievous, invention. Lowell v. Lewis, 1 Mason, 182, 188, Fed. Cas. No. 8,568. By "useful" is meant such an invention as may be applied to some beneficial use in society, in contradistinction to an invention which is injfurious to the morals, the health, or the good order of society. Bedford v. Hunt, 1 Mason, 302, Fed. Cas. No. 1,217.