2. Basics of Patent Search
Part 1
• Search Query
(Boolean Operators, Proximity Searching)
• Field Description in a Patent
Part 2
• Strategy to Patent Search
• Patent Search Databases
3. Should we use keywords or
classification to search?
The use of BOTH keywords and
classification will be the best way to
attain relevant results.
4. Overview
• Problems with keyword search only
– How to Overcome
• Problems with classification search only
– How to Overcome
• 7 Highly Effectives Steps to Patent Search
5. Problems with the use of
Keywords only
Problems Examples
Differences in American and
Tire (American) vs Tyre (British)
British English
Poor translation from foreign Accuracy of machine translation is
patents at most 60-70%
Method, Mechanism, Means,
Too many synonyms Process
have similar meanings
E.g. Mousetrap = Rodent
Novel terminologies
Extermination Device
Different ways of spelling Sony Electronics or Sony
company names Corporation
7. Problems with the use of
Classification only
Problems Explanation
Under ECLA, the jargon for Pencil
Complex naming of Classification
is Writing Implements.
For rapidly developing
technologies, an update of the IPC
Stagnant Classification
classification every 5 years maybe
inadequate.
Some databases may not update
Obsolete Classification
their old classification even
Lack of classification in Canadian
Minimal Classification
Patents
8. Ways to overcome
• Use the free databases that are available
online (as shown in the next slide)
• Compare the classification systems in different
databases to reach a consensus
9. Important Classification
Classification Systems Website
EPO
http://v3.espacenet.com/eclasrch?cla
European Classification
ssification=ecla&locale=en_EP?
(ECLA)
USPTO http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/c
U.S. Patent Classification lassification/
(USPC)
WIPO http://www.wipo.int/classifications/i
International Patent Classification pc/en/
(IPC)
10. 7 Highly Effective Steps to
Patent Search
Read the references
Supplement with other classifications
Find relevant classifications
Examine retrieved documents
Find top classification
Keyword/Synonyms Search
Write a concise description of your invention
11. 7 Highly Effective Steps to
Patent Search
1. Write a concise description of your invention,
listing all the keywords and possible
synonyms
2. Perform a keyword search with the full text
(as the essence of the patents is buried in the
text, not just the abstract or title)
3. In PatSnap, click and find the top
UPC and IPC classifications
12. 7 Highly Effective Steps to
Patent Search
4. Click on the top classification groups and
examine the retrieved documents.
5. Repeat the step with another classification if
the classification selected in Step 4 is not
relevant.
6. Supplement this with a search using ECLA.
7. Review the references that are at the front
page of the prior art patents.
13. About IP guide for Start-ups
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