Which of the following terms describes the unique nature of an invention compared to existing products or methods?

The term that refers to the unique nature of an invention compared to existing products or methods is "novelty." Novelty is a critical requirement for patentability, meaning that the invention must be new and not previously disclosed to the public. This distinctive characteristic ensures that the invention does not simply replicate or slightly modify existing technologies or methods but instead offers something fundamentally different that has not been available before.

In the context of intellectual property and patent law, demonstrating novelty is essential in the patent application process. If an invention lacks novelty, it may not qualify for patent protection because it fails to fulfill the requirement of being a new and original contribution to the field.

Utility, while an important aspect of patentability, refers to the usefulness of an invention rather than its uniqueness. Accessibility pertains to the ease with which something can be obtained or used, and patententiality is not a standard term in this context and doesn't specifically relate to the uniqueness of inventions. Therefore, "novelty" accurately captures the essence of what differentiates an invention from prior art.