Well, yes, but there's no filtering for 'novelty' on that portion of the process. So you, provided you want to pay the fee, can apply for anything, novel or no

Well, yes, but there's no filtering for 'novelty' on that portion of the process. So you, provided you want to pay the fee, can apply for anything, novel or not. If it is not novel, then you should never receive a patent on it, but that does not stop you from trying by sending in the paperwork.