Obviousness is determined based on the skill level of which of the following?

Obviousness in patent law is assessed based on the skill level of individuals with skill in the art. This standard is established to determine whether a claimed invention would have been obvious to a person possessing ordinary skill in that particular field at the time the invention was made. This concept is crucial in patent examination as it helps to demarcate what is considered innovative from what is merely an obvious step based on prior art.

The rationale behind focusing on individuals with skill in the art is to provide a practical and realistic frame of reference for evaluating whether an invention is non-obvious. Those with such expertise are assumed to possess the knowledge and expertise that a typical practitioner in the relevant field would have. This avoids the problem of applying the standard to a layperson's understanding, which could lead to inconsistent and subjective judgments about what constitutes an obvious innovation.

Thus, the correct choice aligns with the established legal precedent and helps maintain a standard that preserves the integrity of the patent system by rewarding true inventions that advance the state of the art rather than merely relying on previous knowledge in a straightforward manner.