Patent Quality Matters | Article One Partners Blog

The International Property Rights Index is a measurement of property rights around the world.  The annual report presents trends and changes in levels of physical and intellectual property protection in 129 countries.  While it is certainly not the only international measurement of property rights quality, it is among the most inclusive and comprehensive.

There are a number of high-quality, free-of-charge research resources on the Internet, including a variety of BioMed and BioTech resources.  But the fact remains that many of the largest, most advanced search databases require membership or per-article payment.  This presents a problem for Article One Researchers who need to search a wide range of topics and databases.  Or does it?

This week’s featured researcher is Eric R. from Ellicott City, Maryland.  Eric is a software engineer who received his BA from Johns Hopkins University.  He learned about Article One from a recent news article.  He had no experience with patent research before becoming an AOP Researcher, but says that he enjoys the experience because it involves a knowledge base in which he has personal interest.

On January 30^th, leaders in crowdsourcing will come together at the second annual Crowdsortium Boston Meetup at the Microsoft NERD Center in Cambridge.  This year, Article One is proud to join local crowdsourcing firms uTest and Crowdly as primary sponsors of the event.  It will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and feature a panel of industry experts, including Jeff Howe, the “Father of Crowdsourcing.”  The Meetup is free, open to the public, and sure to be a fantastic evening!

Article One publishes a Tip of the Week in each edition of our email newsletter.  The following is a compilation of Tips that center on the subject of getting started with the search process.

As a Researcher, it can seem daunting to find a starting point in a Study.  The huge amount of information and data available on the Internet requires background research to get going. We've written about the basic methods tackling this stage in the Study before, but here are some additional tips that can help get your research rolling.

The PCT system, in place for decades, has been gaining serious ground in recent years.  The system allows inventors to achieve international patent protection more easily and affordably than would be possible by simply writing applications for each country.  The WIPO collects data on annual PCT usage, including the activity of international government organizations.  In addition to companies and individual inventors, government-funded groups are some of the more frequent patent filers around the world.  These include government agencies, institutes, societies, and commissions.   Here are the Top 5 from the 2010 records.

The EPO has reported that the number of European filings was up again in 2011, breaking the record for patent applications set just the previous year. The statistics released are a precurser to an in-depth report on 2011 statistical findings to be released this March.

This week’s featured researcher is Christophe S. from Switzerland.  He was introduced to prior art research at the age of 18, while developing his first invention.  He is now a patent manager with a Master's of Science in Industrial Systems Engineering, a Master's in Management of Technology and Innovation, and a post-graduate diploma in Industrial Property Law.

With patent data available for no less than 184 WIPO member states, trends in IP can be found all over the world.  The largest patent offices often receive the most attention, but many smaller patent zones are experiencing exciting growth and innovation. This week, we will examine IP in the post-Soviet economy of the Czech Republic.

Anyone who has ever worked in an office setting can find humor in Scott Adams' Dilbert comic series.  In addition to the usual satire on co-workers, management, and competition, Adams covers a wide variety of other business-related topics.  Patents and IP protection have always had a place in business, and it is amusing to look back at the relevant comics from the perspective of today's IP landscape.