For an invention to be patentable, it must, in general, satisfy three key criteria: - a) the invention is new;
b) it involves an inventive step; and
c) it is capable of industrial application.

An invention of a method of treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy or of diagnosis practised on the human or animal body is not be taken to be capable of industrial application and hence, is not patentable.

If the publication or exploitation of an invention would be generally expected to encourage offensive, immoral or anti-social behaviour, the invention is not patentable.