Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Lack-of-utility rejection is when someone says "no" to a contract or an offer because it's not useful or doesn't work. For example, if someone tries to sell a machine that doesn't actually do anything, the buyer can reject it. This can also happen with patents, where an examiner might say that an invention doesn't work or is not helpful to the public.
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.