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Simple English definitions for legal terms
usefulness
Read a random definition: United States Secret Service
A quick definition of usefulness:
Usefulness, also known as utility, is a requirement for an invention to be patented. It means that the invention must be helpful in some way. This can be shown by explaining how the invention can be used to achieve something. The Patent and Trademark Office has guidelines to make sure that the usefulness claimed is believable, specific, and has a real-world use. This means that the invention must be able to do what it claims to do and have a practical purpose.
A more thorough explanation:
Usefulness, also known as utility, is a requirement for patentability. It means that the invention must be useful for something.
For example, a new type of phone case that protects the phone from water damage would be considered useful because it helps people protect their phones from water damage.
The Patent and Trademark Office has guidelines for determining compliance with the utility requirement. The invention must have a credible, specific, and substantial utility. This means that the invention must have a real-world use that is supported by logic and facts, specific to the subject matter claimed, and not require further research to identify or confirm a use.
useful life | USERRA (The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act)