18 Sep Patent Searches

Patent Searches:

There are three electronic search facilities that we often use to conduct patent searches.

The US Patent Office (USPTO) database is specific to patent filings in the US.

The European Patent Office (EPO) database covers a number of countries and regions as well as PCT International patent applications.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) database covers PCT applications specifically and allows you to access any published documents relating to a particular PCT filing (including the Search Report, Written Opinion and International Preliminary Report on Patentability). The WIPO database, like that of the EPO, also covers a number of other countries.

Such a search will normally be conducted to see whether an invention is new (i.e. to establish whether and what has been filed for anything that is the same or similar to a proposed invention).

USPTO search

Go to: http://patft.uspto.gov/

On the left of the page, you can select to search granted US patents. On the right is the option to search pending patent applications.

The “quick search” option is a convenient way to search either of these databases.

A suitable first (and optional second) term can be typed into the text window(s) on the left.

The field window(s) should normally be set to search for the terms in the Abstract (this is a short general description of what each patent covers). It may also be appropriate to search for a term in the Title.

Once the terms and fields are selected, press “search” to retrieve the results. The separate documents can be viewed by clicking on the links in the results list.

The terms and fields can obviously be adjusted to search with different criteria.

There is also the option of a “number search” or “advanced search”, instead of the “quick search” referred to above.

EPO search

Go to: http://worldwide.espacenet.com/advancedSearch?locale=en_EP

Suitable terms can be typed into the second field window to search in the title or abstract.

Then press “search” to retrieve the results. The separate documents can again be viewed by clicking on the links in the results list.

WIPO/PCT search

Go to: https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/search.jsf

Suitable terms can be typed into the field window to search the front page or bibliographic details of patent documents in the database.

(We most commonly use this database to pull up the details of a PCT application using either the application or publication number to search the database.)

Tips:

• US and UK English very often have a different word for the same thing (for example, “tap” and “faucet”). Keep this in mind when selecting search terms.

• The patent databases also list patents that were found to be relevant to a particular patent. Once you have identified a patent that is relevant or close to your invention, it may be helpful to work through this prior art list.

Please note:

Electronic patent databases are convenient to conduct structured searches this nature. However, if something has been done before and not patented it will not be found in such a search. Patents are also normally only published about 18 months after filing. This means that a patent database search will only show you inventions that are over 18 months old. Also, the uploading of patent data from different countries is not always consistent and there may be gaps in the database. A general search on the Internet can therefore also be useful.