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

The correct answer is that naturally occurring substances are considered a judicial exception to patent eligibility. This principle stems from the legal understanding that laws of nature, natural phenomena, and abstract ideas cannot be patented. The rationale behind this is that nature's creations are available for all to use and do not fulfill the requirements of being a human-made invention. Therefore, while innovative methods, unique designs, and original products that have been human-designed or manufactured may be eligible for patent protection, substances that naturally occur in the world are excluded as they do not meet the criteria for patentability under current legal precedents.

In essence, the U.S. Supreme Court and lower courts have consistently held that allowing patents on naturally occurring substances would inhibit rather than promote progress in multiple scientific fields. This legal framework helps maintain a balance between encouraging innovation and protecting the public domain.