Rowe v. Blanchard

Name: Rowe v. Blanchard
Cite: 18 Wis. 441
Year: 1864
Bluebook cite: Rowe v. Blanchard, 18 Wis. 441 (1864).
Author
URL: 18 Wis. 441
Item Type: case
Summary: Robinson on Patents uses this case to say: "Utility, as predicated of inventions, means industrial value; the capability of being so applied in practical affairs as to prove advantageous in the ordinary pursuits of life, or add to the enjoyment of mankind."

Robinson goes on to say: "But a mere curiosity, a scientific process exciting wonder yet not producing physical results, or any frivolous or trifling article or operation not aiding in the progress nor increasing the possessions of the human race, whatever be its novelty, and whatever skill has been involved in its production, does not fall within the class of useful inventions nor become the subject-matter of a patent."

The original document is available at https://casesofinterest.com/tiki/item1437