Which of the following actions is NOT a reason to deny patentability under 102(a)?

The rationale behind selecting the option that states the invention can be patented internationally as not being a reason to deny patentability under 102(a) lies in the specific provisions of Section 102 of the Patent Act.

Section 102(a) deals primarily with determining whether a claimed invention has been anticipated by prior art. This includes inventions that are known to the public, have been in use in the U.S., or have been previously patented or published. The focus here is on the public availability and disclosure of the claimed invention within the relevant timeframe and context.

The option indicating that an invention can be patented internationally does not, in itself, constitute a reason for denying patentability under 102(a). International patentability speaks to the ability to file for patent protection in jurisdictions outside the U.S. but does not reflect whether the invention was available to the public or disclosed in a way that anticipates the claims being examined. Consequently, while the international aspect of patenting is significant in broader intellectual property strategy, it is not a determining factor for prior art under U.S. patent law as defined in Section 102(a).