A person for whose use a suit is brought; otherwise termed the "use plaintiff." … [Read more...]

Lat. In the civil law. One who had the mere use of a thing belonging to another for the purpose of supplying his daily wants; a usuary. Dig. 7, 8, 10, pr.; Calvin. … [Read more...]

That which may be put into beneficial practice. 2. The patent act of congress of July 4, 1836, sect. 6, in describing the subjects of patents, mentions new and useful art, and new and useful improvement. To entitle the inventor to a patent, his invention must, to a certain extent, be beneficial to the community, and not be for an unlawful object, or frivolous, or insignificant. … [Read more...]

A term of Roman law used to denote a mode of acquisition of property. It corresponds very nearly to the term "prescription." But the prescription of Roman law differed from that of the English law, in this: that no mala fide possessor (i.e., person in possession knowingly of the property of another) could, by however long a period, acquire title by possession merely. The two … [Read more...]

The length of time for which an asset is deemed useful for tax purposes and during which it may be depreciated. … [Read more...]