Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Learn about Patent Searches - I

In the last posts, discussion was running about Patent Drawings, Patent searches (Accelerated Examination Search, Freedom To Operate, Patentability Search, Patent Watch). There are some more searches to analysis, infringe, proofing the patent and all the patent services.

Patent Proofreading

This search is performed to reduce the mistakes in the issued patent document which effects you patent claims. We may need to spend many hours to catch errors manually, but if left uncorrected can lead to major consequences. Proofreading the document reduces your cost and time.

Patent Validity/Invalidity Search

This search is normally done by a user or manufacturer or seller of a product upon another patent's product, when they have doubt that their product may infringe a patent.

State of the Art Search

This is also known as Collection Search. The state-of-the-Art search is designed to provide information regarding the recent development in technology in the given field.

Google also provides targeted search engine for patents, in United States Patent and Trademark Organization(USPTO) we can search the issued patents and patent applications.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Learn about Patent Searches

We have seen the types of patent search, patent illustrations and the patent application process. Now lets start discussing about the patent search types and the narrow difference between the all.

Accelerated Examination Search:

The USPTO launched Accelerated Examination Program on 25-08-2006. The main purpose of this program is to provide qualified applicants within the last one year from the date of the application's filing. The applicant has to submit the Accelerated Examination Support Document (AFSD) to find the expired and unexpired patents.

Freedom To Operate:

A Freedom to Operate is also called as 'Clearance Search' or 'Right to use Search'. Freedom to Operate search includes the verification of Infringement search of unexpired US patents. These searches helps to find expired, unexpired patents and provide proper evidence of an invention which is already existing.

Patentability:

A patentability search is also called as Novelty Search. Patentability search is performed to find whether an invention meets the necessities of novelty, usefulness, and non-obviousness. This Patentability search is usually performed before preparing the patent application to find whether our idea or invention meets the relevant legal conditions to be patented.

Patent Watch:

Patent Watch is a process for monitoring and tracking system of both newly published patent applications and issued patents on regular interval basis. The patent watch is again classified into two types. Technical Patent Watch (Monitor newly issued patents in a particular technical area) and Competitor Patent Watch (Monitor newly issued patents of a competitor inventions).