For which reason can a patent application be considered non-patentable?

A patent application can be considered non-patentable if the invention is deemed to be a mere obvious variation of what is already known in the field. This concept is rooted in the requirement for non-obviousness, which is a key criterion for patentability. According to the patent laws, specifically 35 U.S.C. § 103, an invention cannot be patented if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made.

When an invention is simply an obvious variation of an existing idea or product, it fails to contribute any significant advancement in technology or knowledge that would justify the grant of a patent. The intention behind this rule is to incentivize true innovation rather than awarding patents for incremental changes that do not represent substantial unique contributions to the industry.

This understanding highlights the importance of distinguishing between truly novel inventions and those that do not meet the standard of non-obviousness, thus reinforcing the integrity of the patent system by ensuring that patents are only granted for advancements that are genuinely inventive.