Tag: Research and Development (R&D)

Navigating the world of patent information can be challenging, particularly when you are trying to assess whether an invention is new, understand existing technology, avoid potential infringement issues or support future research and development.

Understanding the fundamentals of patent searching is valuable whether you plan to carry out an initial search yourself or instruct a professional search provider.

This beginner’s guide explores some of the key techniques that can help you approach patent searching more effectively.

The Foundation: Research and Keywords

A strong patent search often begins with the right terminology.

Start by identifying the core features of the invention or technology, then build out your keyword list using synonyms, alternative terminology and related technical terms.

For example, if your invention relates to a car, you might also consider words such as “vehicle”, “automotive” or more specific terms describing the relevant component or function.

Existing patents can also be a useful source of terminology. Reviewing patents in the same technical area can help you understand how inventors and patent professionals describe similar concepts.

Navigating Patent Search Databases

There are many patent databases available, ranging from free public resources to specialist commercial platforms.

Each has different coverage, search functionality and features, so understanding the strengths and limitations of the database you are using is important.

Free resources can be extremely useful for initial research, while commercial databases often provide more advanced search tools, broader data coverage and additional analytical functionality.

For a comprehensive professional search, experienced analysts will often use more than one resource and adapt their search strategy as new terminology, classifications and relevant documents are identified.

Advanced Techniques: Truncation and Operators

Patent searching goes well beyond entering a few keywords into a search box.

Search operators can help refine results and improve relevance. These may include:

• Boolean operators such as AND, OR and NOT;
• proximity operators, which specify how closely search terms should appear to one another; and
• truncation or wildcard characters, which help capture different forms of a word.

These techniques need to be used carefully. A search that is too narrow can exclude relevant documents, while one that is too broad may produce an unmanageable number of results.

Effective patent searching is therefore often an iterative process.

Leveraging Patent Classifications

Patent classifications are another valuable searching tool.

Patents are categorised according to their technical subject matter, allowing searchers to identify documents relating to similar technologies even where different terminology has been used.

Two of the most widely used systems are:

• International Patent Classification (IPC)
• Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)

Combining classifications with keyword searching can significantly improve search coverage and help uncover documents that may otherwise be missed.

The Importance of an Iterative Search Strategy

A thorough patent search rarely follows a single straight path.

Relevant patents may reveal:

• new keywords or technical terminology;
• useful classification codes;
• important inventors or applicants;
• related patent families; and
• citations to earlier or later documents.

Each discovery can help refine the search and lead to further relevant material.

This iterative approach is one of the most important principles in effective patent searching.

When to Use a Professional Patent Search

Carrying out your own preliminary research can be useful, but there are situations where a professional search may be more appropriate, particularly where the results will support important commercial, technical or IP decisions.

At PatWorld, our experienced analysts carry out tailored patent searches using a combination of professional commercial and publicly available databases. The search strategy is adapted to the purpose of the project, the technology involved and the level of detail required.

Our services include:

• Patentability and Novelty searches
• Freedom to Operate (FTO) searches
• Invalidity searches
• State-of-the-Art and Collection searches
• Company and Inventor searches
• Patent Monitoring and Watching
• Patent status checks

Whether you are assessing the novelty of an invention, reviewing prior art, investigating freedom to operate or monitoring activity in a particular technical area, our team can help identify the most appropriate search approach.

Explore PatWorld’s Patent Search Services

Want to Learn More About Patent Searching?

For those who want to develop their own patent searching skills, PatWorld also offers an Introduction to Patent Searching course.

The self-paced course covers the methodology behind effective patent searching, including keywords, classifications, citations and iterative search techniques. Examples are demonstrated using Espacenet, but the underlying principles are transferable across patent databases.

Explore the Introduction to Patent Searching course