In patent law, what does “enablement” require?

Enablement in patent law is a crucial requirement that ensures that the patent application provides sufficient detail to allow others skilled in the relevant field to make and use the invention without undue experimentation. This means that the patent application must clearly describe the invention, including its structure, operation, and any necessary components, so that someone else can replicate it.

This requirement is part of the broader concept of utility within patent law, serving to balance the interests of the inventor with the needs of the public. By laying out enough information, the patent system encourages innovation while also ensuring that knowledge is disseminated.

The other choices do not accurately describe the enablement requirement. Commercial viability, while important in a broader business sense, is not a legal requirement for a patent. Similarly, while having an inventor that is knowledgeable can be beneficial, there's no legal requirement that mandates the inventor be an expert, and novelty or innovativeness alone does not fulfill the enablement standard.