patent search
DESCRIPTION
A Presentation by Mr. Nitin Nair, BananaIPTRANSCRIPT
Patent Search
By
Nitin Nair
Patent Search
Performed to uncover related references
May be patent/patent applications, technical papers, articles or any source open to the public
Types of searches
Patentability Analysis
Freedom to Operate Analysis
Landscape Analysis
Infringement Analysis
Invalidity Search
Patentability Analysis
To understand the prior arts that may affect the chance of obtaining a patent for an invention and assist in preparing the draft
Novelty
Non-obviousness
Landscape Analysis
To understand the technology and areas of
research
Infringement Analysis
A check if a product infringes on a patent
FTO Analysis
A check if a product/process may be practiced in a jurisdiction
Invalidity Analysis
Searching for prior art which will invalidate a patent
Search Databases
Free databases
USPTO, Espacenet, Google Patents
Paid databases
Delphion, Micropatent, Thomson Scientific, Questel
Search methodologies
Keyword Searches
Classification based searches
Keyword Searches
Detailed as possible
Use as many synonyms/variations in terminology as possible
Boolean operators
Keyword Searches - Example
A flexible cylindrical length of plastic, where both ends of the cylinder are open. The diameter of the cylinder may be very small, as compared to the height of the cylinder. The plastic may be of a single colour or may have a design on the outer surface.
Drawbacks
Inconsistent terminologies
Non-English patent documents
Keyword Searches
Classification based searches
Patents are classified into various classes
Search is performed within classes
Types of classifications
IPC
ECLA
USPTO Classification
F term
Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
Classification based searches
USPTO 7 step strategyDiscover keywordsFind potential classes using classification indexVerify classes using classification scheduleVerify scope use class definitionsSearch for patents in the identified classesRetrieve relevant patentsCheck other sources
Classification based searches
USPTO 7 step strategyDiscover keywordsFind potential classes from relevant patents
identified using the keywordsVerify classes using classification scheduleVerify scope using class definitionsSearch for patents in the identified classesRetrieve relevant patentsCheck other sources
Google Patents - Search
Google Patents - Search
Google Patents - Search
Foxit PDF Document
Google Patents - Search
USPTO search
USPTO search
Tips
Citations
Searched classes
Inventors
Assignee
Family members