What does “patentable subject matter” refer to?

"Patentable subject matter" refers specifically to the types of inventions and discoveries that can be legally protected by a patent under patent law. This concept is foundational in determining whether an invention qualifies for patent protection. The patent laws specify categories of inventions that are eligible, which typically include processes, machines, articles of manufacture, and compositions of matter, as well as improvements thereof.

An understanding of patentable subject matter is crucial for inventors and patent applicants, as it directly influences whether their inventions can be patented. For instance, abstract ideas, natural phenomena, and laws of nature are commonly excluded from being patentable subject matter.

The other options address different aspects of the patent process. Legal requirements for patent application submission deal with the procedural aspects rather than the types of inventions. Methods of enforcing a patent concern the rights and actions that can be taken if someone infringes a patent. The examination process of patent applications focuses on the scrutiny by the patent office to determine if an application meets all the legal criteria for patentability. However, these aspects do not directly define what is considered patentable subject matter.