To be patentable any new product or process must demonstrate the following:
- Novelty: it must be novel over any “prior art” (see definition below) and not disclosed prior to filing
- Non-obviousness: there must be a clear “inventive step”- something not obvious to a person “skilled in the field” (see definition below)
- Utility: it must be capable of some use or application that provides benefit to a user
- Sufficiency: the description of the patent application as filed must be sufficiently detailed so as to allow a person of ordinary skill in the field perform the invention.
“Prior Art“: all information in the public domain before date of filing.
“Skilled in the field“: often considered to be a Post-doctoral Scientist in general field.