New And Useful Invention

This phrase is sometimes used relating to granting patents for inventions.

The invention to be patented must not only be new, but useful; that is, useful in contradistinction to frivolous or mischievous inventions. It is not meant that the invention should in all cases be superior to the modes now in use for the same purposes.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.