True or False: Accidents can lead to patentable inventions.

Accidents can indeed lead to patentable inventions. This concept is rooted in the understanding that many significant innovations have arisen unexpectedly during different processes or experiments. When an individual inadvertently discovers a new product or a different method of doing something as a result of an accident, it can qualify for a patent provided it meets the necessary legal criteria for patentability.

These criteria generally include novelty (the invention must be new), non-obviousness (the invention must not be something that would be obvious to someone skilled in the relevant field), and usefulness (the invention must have a practical application). If an accidental discovery fulfills these criteria, it can successfully be patented, illustrating that creativity and innovation do not always stem from deliberate efforts. This highlights the unpredictability of the inventive process and the capacity for surprising discoveries to contribute to technological and scientific advancement.

In contrast, the other options, such as needing specific documentation or meeting selective criteria for patentability, while relevant to the patent process, do not negate the fundamental principle that accidents can indeed lead to inventions that qualify for patent protection if they satisfy the core requirements.