Research in patents
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Researched will be all kinds of patent searches such as |
- Prior art
Information for Prior art searches
Prior art searches are carried out with different objectives. For instance prior art can be researched with regard to a subject area to evaluate the granting prospects of a patent application (novelty of invention), to gather material for own development work (detail information search) or to gain an expanded overview of a technology field (overview search).
Services
The services are fixed when placing an order. At that time it is primarily about the objective of the search (e.g. targeted search for individual technical features or broad search for an overview). Naturally all information is treated strictly confidential.
The standard scope of a search includes the review of the relevant patent classes for DE-, EP-, WO- and US-publications over a period of the last 30 years. The search is carried out in the titel, abstract and claims respectively, whereupon relevant documents are evaluated in the full text and graphics. By request full text databases can be researched in addition and the search can be globalized. It also makes sense, depending on the purpose and the special field, to include non-patent-databases and research disclosures in the research.
- Invalidity
Information for Invalidity Searches
Within a certain period of time after the publication of an already granted patent it is possible to file an objection. After expiration of this deadline a nullity suit can be filed before a patent court. The patent will be completely or partly withdrawn if essential requirements for its assignation aren't fulfilled anymore. This is particularly the case if by presentation of patent documents it can be proved that the claimed invention was already previously evident.
Services
Objective of the search is the identification of patent documents revealing a state of the art which enables an objection or a nullity suit against an already existing patent. Starting point of the search is your given specification, listing the individual characteristics of the search subject. Naturally all information is treated strictly confidential.
- Novelty / Infringement / Freedom-To-Operate
Information for Novelty / Infringement / Freedom-To-Operate Searches
For a specific product or procedure protective rights of third parties which possibly could be violated have to be searched for. Moreover, by arrangement the search can be expanded on a search for free state of the art.
Services
Objective of the search is the identification of patent documents which potentially could be infringed by your product or. Thus you can protect yourself against potential patent infringement suits prior to a product launch. Starting point of the search is a specific description of the product or the underlying procedure as well as the essential features. Naturally all information is treated strictly confidential.
The standard scope of a search includes the review of the relevant patent classes for DE-, EP-, WO- and US-publications over a period of the last 30 years. The search is carried out in full text databases and the search can be globalized by request.
- Applicant
Information for applicant searches
An applicant search has the aim to identify all available patent documents belonging to a single patent applicant (e.g. a company or a single person) or an inventor. Reasons for an applicant search are e.g. the review of a competitor, the search for potential suppliers or for licensers. An applicant search in patent databases doesn't serve the screening of brand names. For this purpose, special trademark databases are provided.
Services
With reference to a patent applicant or inventor specified by you all worldwide existing patent publications will be identified during the search. Currently INPADOC comprises the information of more then 90 patent organizations / offices (inclusively EP and WO) from roughly the last 25 years. The search report comprises a compilation of the bibliographic data of the identified publications. As far as available the bibliographic data of DE-, EP-, US- and WO- documents will be completed by the abstract, main claim as well as a patent graphic. Data on 100 publications are included in the basic price for a search. Data on more than 100 publications will be supplied for an extra charge according to the price list. In general also a check of different variations of umlaut spellings will be carried out with each search. The search will be carried out within 1-2 working days.
- Patent family
Information for patent family searches
Often a patent application for an invention is filed in a number of countries. If for such an invention additional applications claiming the same priority have been received, this is referred to as patent family. A patent family search is to identify all members of such a patent family worldwide.
Services
The search will be carried out in the INPADOC database of the European patent office. Currently INPADOC comprises the information of more then 90 patent organizations (inclusively EP and WO) and legal status information of 55 patent organizations from roughly the last 25 years. The search report comprises a summary in tabular form of all documents belonging to the patent family, as well as an annex with bibliographic data and legal status information (as far as available) for each family member. The search is also considering multiple priorities.
- Legal status
Information for legal status searches
Currently legal status information of 55 patent organizations (inclusively EP and WO) is retrievable in the database INPADOC of the European patent office. Legal status information of German patents and utility models may be searched also in the database DPinfo of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office. Generally the legal status information includes the various publication and procedural stages from the disclosure up to the granted patent. This information will also indicate whether a previously granted patent has expired, e.g. due to non-payment of the annual fee or a invalidity suit before a patent court. In case of EP applications it will be listed in which countries the patent has entered the national phase.
Services
Based on the publication numbers provided by you the search will be carried out in the database INPADOC and regarding German industrial property rights also in the database DPinfo if necessary. The search result comprises a summary of the bibliographic data and a chronological overview of the legal status entries.
- Other patent searches
Information for other patent searches
Apart from the already mentioned searches other objectives are conceivable too. As in such a case effort strongly depend on the particular case, the billing of costs will be effected on an hourly basis. For special search requests a quote can be submitted first.
