Which of the following is considered a judicial exception to patent eligibility?

The concept of judicial exceptions to patent eligibility refers to the categories of inventions that are not considered patentable, even if they meet other criteria such as being novel and non-obvious. Among the options provided, naturally occurring substances are classified as judicial exceptions because they are deemed to exist in nature and have not been significantly altered or transformed by human intervention.

This principle is rooted in the idea that laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas are not patentable because granting exclusive rights to these would hinder further innovation and restrict the public’s access to fundamental tools needed to explore and understand the natural world.

In contrast, the other options, such as a new method for manufacturing, a unique machine design, and an original product of manufacture, involve human-created inventions that do not fall under the category of judicial exceptions. These types of inventions typically meet the criteria of being eligible for patent protection, as they involve applications of creative ideas or processes. Therefore, naturally occurring substances are recognized as the only option that meets the criteria for a judicial exception to patent eligibility.