What is required for an invention to be eligible for patent protection?

For an invention to qualify for patent protection, it must meet three fundamental criteria: it must be novel, useful, and not obvious.

Novelty means that the invention must be new and not already known to the public before the patent application is filed. This ensures that patents reward true innovation, preventing the idea from being an already existing solution.

The usefulness criterion requires that the invention has some practical application or function, contributing to its overall utility. It ensures that patents are granted for inventions that can actually be employed in a way that benefits society or the economy.

The non-obviousness aspect signifies that the invention cannot be something that would be obvious to a person skilled in the related field at the time of the patent application. This is to promote true innovation rather than granting patents for incremental or trivial advancements that would not constitute a significant leap in technology or understanding.

While elements like market viability, market demand, or environmental considerations may be important in evaluating an invention's potential success or acceptance, they do not form part of the legal requirements for patent eligibility. Therefore, the correct answer encompasses the essential criteria necessary for patent protection, focusing on the attributes of the invention itself.