Legal Definitions - lack-of-utility rejection

Definition: Lack-of-utility rejection is a refusal to accept a contractual offer or tendered goods as contractual performance due to the invention being inoperative, frivolous, fraudulent, or against the public interest.

For example, if someone tries to patent a perpetual-motion machine, which is impossible to create, the patent office will reject the application due to lack-of-utility. Similarly, if someone tries to patent a cure for the common cold, which is believed to be impossible, the patent office will reject the application due to lack-of-utility.

Another example is if someone tries to patent a gambling device, which is seen as against the public interest, the patent office will reject the application due to lack-of-utility.

In summary, lack-of-utility rejection occurs when the invention is not useful or goes against public policy.