Featured Resource: PATENTSCOPE
Posted on Tue, Sep 13, 2011
PATENTSCOPE is an international patent search tool offered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), an agency of the UN that promotes the protection of intellectual property around the world. In fall 2009, the WIPO launched the Patent Collections search as part of PATENTSCOPE, a new tool that allows for searching patent collections from the patent offices of individual countries.
Simple, Advanced Search
PATENTSCOPE can be a great resource for researchers to narrow their searches as they gather background information from related patents, especially since it provides access to patent information from all over the world. While the search is only for official patent literature, its international scope and cross-lingual options makes it easier to find obscure and unique patents. This access can prove invaluable for researchers early in the search process as it can lead to key claim phrases, inventor names, and other pieces of information that guide the search process.
While non-patent literature -- that is, any publicly available source of information unrelated to the patent application process -- usually provides the best and most unique references for patent search, finding obscure international patents is a major part of preparation for a successful search process. In some cases, the obscure patents themselves might even be considered as high-quality submissions, based on the details of the Study Description.
One of the benefits of the service is the broad choice in search categories, with researchers able to work with eleven fields that narrow down what parts of a patent may best relate to the search terms. These include much of the information found in the patent description, including dates, names, official numbers, and abstracts. Even more valuable, the tool can specifically search the claims of patents, which provide the most detailed description of the technology. It is from the claims that searchers often find crucial phrases and terms that can guide further search within and outside of patent literature.
Search the World - or a Single Country
These advanced search functions are abetted by the ability to customize geographically. PATENTSCOPE offers its search to be conducted in some, or all, of a list of databases including 24 individual countries and three major regional patent organizations. These options represent the patent office and database for each country. The WIPO has been adding to this list on a consistent basis for the two years since the launch of the service.
Combining the advanced search and the geographical option is a great way for any researcher complete the important first stage in the research process: Gathering Background Information. For example, a Researcher might perform a broad search within an "international class" that relates to the technology area of the Study. Having combed through and found a related patent, the researcher might then search an exact phrase from the claims, only to find another patent even richer in helpful data. The Researcher can then use a different bit of information, such as the inventor's name, and narrow down geographically by searching elsewhere within the country or region where the inventor previously worked.
Gathering this background information creates the necessary foundation that allows Researchers to develop detailed search strings and reach outside of patent literature into the wider world of resources that might yield even more unique results.
For a more detailed report, and community reports on many other patent search tools, visit Intellogist.com, one of Article One's favorite sources for patent research information!
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