Lucas v Peterson Portable Sawing Systems Ltd

The Supreme Court of New Zealand was asked to decide whether claim 7 of the Lucas patent was invalid due to lack of novelty and obviousness. The Lucas patent claimed a portable sawmill with improved lateral and longitudinal stability. The court found that the claim was anticipated by the prior use in New Zealand of the Peterson standard frame mill and the published description and use in New Zealand of the Lewis portable sawmill. The court also found that the claim was obvious as it merely combined known elements without any inventive step. The court allowed the appeal, declared claim 7 invalid, and remitted the case to the High Court for further determination. The appellants were awarded costs.