Which of the following must a work meet to receive patent protection?

To receive patent protection, a work must be made public. This means that the inventor has to disclose the invention in a manner sufficient for others skilled in the field to understand and replicate it. Making the work public is essential for patenting because it fulfills the requirement of transparency and allows the patent office to assess the invention's uniqueness and utility. In return for this disclosure, the inventor gains exclusive rights to the invention for a set period, preventing others from making, using, or selling it without permission.

While originality is a crucial aspect of patent eligibility, it does not mean the work must be completely original in every sense, as variations and improvements on existing inventions can still qualify for a patent. Additionally, patent protection does not depend on whether the work is inexpensive to produce, or if it is specifically a written work. Patents can cover a range of inventions, including processes and products, not just those that are documented in writing.