What criteria is used in ascertaining what is patentable?
In the UK & Europe, the invention must be new, it must involve an “inventive step”, it must have some industrial application (Industry may also include use in agriculture), and it must not encompass subject matter that is excluded from patentability. In other countries, there are slight differences in undertaking this ascertainment, although most have novelty, inventive step and industrial application. There are also other subject matter that may be “patentable” in other countries, which are excluded in the UK & Europe (eg.
