Prior Art Searches

What it is: Prior art is a summary of the knowledge already in existence about an invention. Prior art searching is a compulsory part of the patent examination process.

Why it's important: Knowing that an invention is already patented is important because it will:

• Save you precious R&D time and funding
• Protect you from bringing a product to market later than your competitor
• Keep you from launching a product that is inferior when compared to the competition

You may also wish to take advantage of our patentability, infringement and validity searches, which incorporate interpretation by experienced patent examiners.

PATENTABILITY

What it is: Patentability searches help you decide whether your idea or development is capable of being patented.

Why it's important: You should consider patenting any invention which is relevant to new product development. Even minor inventions can have commercial potential for exploitation in their own right — by licensing for example — and patenting them in time can protect this potential. It is also possible to protect inventions relating to processes and methods of manufacture which you would not want your competitors to copy.

VALIDITY

What it is: A validity search helps you identify patents that could be used to attack the validity of a claimed invention on the grounds of novelty or obviousness.

Why it's important: These searches are important when framing responses to infringement action.

INFRINGEMENT

What it is: Infringement searches identify patents already held by a competitor on a product or process that you are considering using.

Why it's important: Infringement search results are perhaps the single most useful piece of information that a company can possess about patents. If a patent is already held by a competitor, the knowledge of its existence can help prevent you from being sued for patent infringement. Conversely, if one of your patents is infringed, you will be able to take action against the offender.

COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE SEARCH  

What it is: Competitive intelligence research is statistical analysis for technology trends and technology leaders.

Why it's important: Can help you focus your work by identifying those technology areas that are highly-developed and those in which little innovation has been done. Shows you what companies are citing your patents and which of your patents are most highly cited in US, PCT and EPO patents plus other major countries.

PATENT ASSIGNEE/INVENTOR SEARCH  

What it is: Search to locate patents issued/published to a particular Company(s) or Inventor(s) at publication.

Why it's important: Shows you the companies and individuals working in specific fields so you know whose work to follow or who to partner with.

PATENT FAMILY/EQUIVALENT/APPLICATION NUMBER

What it is: Search for US/English equivalents to non-US patents or vice versa from up to 55 patent-issuing authorities including convention and non-convention equivalents. Patent family searches provide a listing of all countries in which a particular patent/application was filed and English abstract for most families. Searching on an application number can reveal published/granted patents, such as an equivalent patent to US, before it issues in the US.

Why it's important: A patent family search focuses on an innovation as a whole instead of just how that innovation is protected in one or more countries. This information can reveal an innovator’s strategy — including strengths or weaknesses.

US-Specific Searches

NOVELTY/PATENTABILITY SEARCHES AT THE USPTO
Pre-examination searches are conducted on-site at the US Patent and Trademark Office by patent engineers with extensive knowledge of searching and the US Classification system. The search covers the origin of invention to its most current development (1790-present) and confidential consultations with a USPTO Patent Examiner in the field of search. Other USPTO-based searches include infringement, validity and state-of-the-art.

PATENT REASSIGNMENT SEARCHES
This is a Chain-of-Title search. Coverage includes US patent number, inventor/assignee reassignment information from 1980 to date. The search includes coverage of patent ownership, patent liens, security interest and other related assignment subjects.

PATENT STATUS/PATENT LITIGATION SEARCHES
This search shows post-issue actions affecting US Patents, including patent expiration due to non-payment of maintenance fees, certificate of corrections, disclaimers and dedications, reissue, re-examination, withdrawn and lapsed patent, litigation, etc.

STATUS
This is a search of the USPTO records to determine the current legal status of an application or issued patent. Copies from the USPTO are provided indicating any changes in title as well as the maintenance fee payment history.

Patent Watch Services

What it is: Our search specialists can work with you do develop a customized Patent Watch that will, on a regular basis:

• Monitor your competitor's activities
• Help you stay ahead of your competitors
• Identify R&D trends
• Identify patent infringements
• Identify licensing opportunities

Why it’s important: This service is important because it gives you patent information that matches your needs on a regular basis — without repeated searching on your part. Results are delivered weekly, monthly or quarterly — according to your needs.

Databases Covered by Search Services

Our research experts utilize all of the most important data sources in the world:

• USPTO's East and West databases
• Derwent World Patent Index® (DWPISM)
• INPADOC and other international patent office databases
• Other world-leading Thomson Reuters patent and non-patent literature databases, such as ISI Web of Knowledge®, Delphion®, Geneseq®, Derwent Drug File, the MicroPatent PatSearch® FullText collection, and the MicroPatentPatent Index Database (MPI)
• Our experts also have access to hundreds of non-Thomson Reuters databases covering all subjects including a full range of databases available through Dialog®, STN®, and Questel-Orbit® including Chemical Abstract Services (CAS®), and IEEE.

We will use whatever is necessary to fulfill your request.

Search Services Experts

When it comes to research, no one can afford to cut corners. You need a research team with the experience, industry knowledge, and resources to ensure you get complete, accurate information — each and every time. We understand the art of patent searching and have the depth and breadth of knowledge required to provide the information you need, on time and within budget.

Our strength is our people. Our industry experts bring more than 300 years of combined IP experience and hold advanced degrees (up to Ph.D. level) in a variety of disciplines — including IP law.

Some of the areas we specialize in:

• Antibiotics
• Automotive
• Biochemistry & Biotech
• Business Methods
• Chemicals
• Communication
• Computer Arts
• Computer Hardware and Software
• Electro-chemistry
• Electronics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Gene Sequence Searching
• Heat Transfers
• Heterocyclic Organic Chemistry
• Markush Claims
• Medical Instrumentation
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• Pharmaceuticals
• Polymers
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• Thermodynamics
• And more

Trust the experts. Trust IP Search Services.