In an article about the patents held by the Research Services Office at the University of British Columbia, it was written that none of the patents were there because someone set out to invent something new. "If we knew what it was that creates innovation, we would all be millionaires... it's chance, brilliance, an offhand remark...." We know that to obtain a patent we need to have created an "invention." Which of the following best defines a patentable invention?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A patentable invention must be a new and useful machine, process, manufacture or composition of matter, or a new and useful improvement thereof. Option D fits this definition as it refers to a new and useful machine. The other options, such as A (a unique mark) and B (an original artistic work), may potentially be protected by other forms of intellectual property such as trademarks and copyright, respectively, but would not qualify for a patent. Option C (a significant scientific principle) may be a discovery rather than an invention and would not be patentable. Option E (novel information used in a person's business) may be protectable as a trade secret, but would not be a patentable invention.

In an Article About the Patents Held by the Research