Patentable Inventions: A Comprehensive Guide for Master's Students

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for an invention to be patentable in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Commercial success

Answer

Novelty

Answer

Inventive step

Answer

Industrial application

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of an exclusion from patentability under UK law?

Accepted Answer

A scientific theory

Answer

A new medical treatment

Answer

A computer program

Answer

A design for a new car

Question 3

What is the purpose of the 'inventive step' requirement in patent law?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the patenting of obvious improvements

Answer

To ensure that the invention is original

Answer

To limit the number of patents granted

Answer

To encourage innovation

Question 4

What is the key difference between a patent and a copyright?

Accepted Answer

Patents protect inventions, while copyrights protect artistic works.

Answer

Copyrights protect inventions, while patents protect artistic works.

Answer

Patents and copyrights both protect inventions.

Answer

Patents and copyrights both protect artistic works.

Question 5

What is the term of a patent in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

20 years

Answer

10 years

Answer

15 years

Answer

25 years

Question 6

In the context of patentable inventions, what is the primary function of case law?

Accepted Answer

To provide concrete examples and precedents.

Answer

To establish comprehensive statutory guidelines.

Answer

To determine absolute and unchanging standards.

Question 7

In patent law, which test is used to assess if an invention demonstrates an 'inventive step'?

Accepted Answer

Obviousness to a person skilled in the relevant field

Answer

Economic significance of the invention

Answer

Novelty of the invention

Answer

Practical viability of the invention

Question 8

What is the purpose of the novelty requirement in patent law?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that the invention has not been previously disclosed

Answer

To incentivize the development of new technologies

Answer

To protect the rights of inventors

Answer

To prevent the patenting of trivial inventions

Question 9

To secure a utility patent, which of these is NOT a necessary criterion?

Accepted Answer

Ornamentality

Answer

Novelty

Answer

Inventive step

Answer

Industrial application

Question 10

Which criterion is NOT a requirement for patentability?

Accepted Answer

Lack of opposition

Answer

Novelty

Answer

Inventive step

Answer

Industrial application

Question 11

An invention that is based on a prior art publication, meaning it has been disclosed to the public before, is considered:

Accepted Answer

Non-patentable

Answer

Novel

Answer

Inventive

Answer

Industrial

Question 12

A discovery of a natural phenomenon, such as gravity or the chemical composition of water, is considered:

Accepted Answer

Non-patentable

Answer

Patentable

Answer

Patentable if it has an industrial application

Answer

Patentable if it is novel and inventive

Question 13

The term 'patent pending' indicates that:

Accepted Answer

A patent application has been submitted but not yet approved

Answer

A patent has been granted but not yet published

Answer

A patent has expired and is no longer in force

Answer

A patent has been revoked due to invalidity

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for an invention to be patentable in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

It must be disclosed in a patent application

Answer

It must be new

Answer

It must involve an inventive step

Answer

It must have industrial application

Question 15

The inventive step requirement is intended to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure that the invention is not obvious to a person skilled in the art

Answer

Ensure that the invention is useful

Answer

Ensure that the invention is novel

Answer

Ensure that the invention has potential commercial value

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for an invention to be patentable under UK law?

Accepted Answer

Aesthetic value

Answer

Inventive step

Answer

Industrial application

Answer

Novelty

Question 17

What is the purpose of the inventive step requirement for patentability?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that the invention is not obvious to a person skilled in the art

Answer

To prevent the patenting of trivial inventions

Answer

To promote innovation

Question 18

What does the industrial application requirement for patentability mean?

Accepted Answer

The invention must have a practical use in industry

Answer

The invention must be commercially successful

Answer

The invention must be novel and inventive

Question 19

What is the purpose of the "grace period" for novelty in the UK?

Accepted Answer

To allow inventors to disclose their invention without losing novelty

Answer

To prevent the patenting of prior art

Answer

To encourage early filing of patent applications

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of an invention that is likely to be excluded from patentability due to obviousness in the UK?

Accepted Answer

A new design for a toothbrush that is merely a combination of existing designs

Answer

A new drug that cures a previously incurable disease

Answer

A self-driving car that uses artificial intelligence

Question 21

What is a key difference between a patent and a utility model under UK law?

Accepted Answer

A utility model has a shorter term of protection than a patent

Answer

A utility model provides a lower level of protection than a patent

Answer

A utility model is more difficult to obtain than a patent