Patentable Subject Matter

Patentable subject matter refers to the types of inventions or ideas that can legally be protected by a patent. Not everything you invent qualifies; for example, natural phenomena, abstract ideas, or laws of nature are generally not patentable. To be patentable, an invention must be new, useful, and involve an inventive step. Typically, patentable subject matter includes new machines, processes, manufactured items, or specific improvements. The goal is to encourage innovation while preventing monopolies on basic scientific principles or natural occurrences. Legal standards for patentability vary by jurisdiction, but the focus remains on ensuring the invention is sufficiently inventive and tangible.