PATENT SEARCH

1

Andreya FernandesGopakumar Nair AssociatesUrl: www.gnaipr.comEmail: gopanair@gnaipr.netBengaluru, 18th November, 2010

Need for Performing A SearchAccording to

Thompson Reuters

“80% of all available technicalinformation is published in Patentsand often nowhere else.”

2

According to

Thompson Reuters

“80% of all available technicalinformation is published in Patentsand often nowhere else.”

Source of Information

Need for Performing A Search• Prior Art• State of the Art• Patent Validity / Expiration• Legal Status• Infringement Analysis – to Avoid / to Sue• Opposition• Patent Watch / Monitor Patent• Potential Partners for Licensing In/

Licensing Out• Working Around• Patent Family

3

• Prior Art• State of the Art• Patent Validity / Expiration• Legal Status• Infringement Analysis – to Avoid / to Sue• Opposition• Patent Watch / Monitor Patent• Potential Partners for Licensing In/

Licensing Out• Working Around• Patent Family

Patent Search

• Patentability Search

• Freedom To Market Opinion Search

• Patent Landscape Search

• Patent Validity Search

4

• Patentability Search

• Freedom To Market Opinion Search

• Patent Landscape Search

• Patent Validity Search

Types Of Patent Search

• Number Searching

• Name Searching

• Subject Searching

• Legal Status Searching

• IPC Classification based Searching5

• Number Searching

• Name Searching

• Subject Searching

• Legal Status Searching

• IPC Classification based Searching

Number Searching

• Patent / Patent Application Number and

• Country of Issue

• Common Format - Country Code followed

by a seven or eight digit number

Eg.GB2013456, WO0213591,DE19944652

6

• Patent / Patent Application Number and

• Country of Issue

• Common Format - Country Code followed

by a seven or eight digit number

Eg.GB2013456, WO0213591,DE19944652

Number SearchingCont…..

Document Kind Code - Number followed by a letter(A, B, T, etc.)

• Indicates the Publication Stage• Generally

– ‘A’ first stage of publication (eg US 2002-0002180 A1)&

– ‘B’ Granted Patent (eg US 6,432,966 B)• WIPO

• A1- Application & Search Report (egWO/2006/114709A1)

• A2 - Only Application (eg WO/2003/020206A2)• A3 - Only Search Report (eg WO/2003/020206A3)• A4 - Search report by the EPO added to Search

report done by the PCT7

Document Kind Code - Number followed by a letter(A, B, T, etc.)

• Indicates the Publication Stage• Generally

– ‘A’ first stage of publication (eg US 2002-0002180 A1)&

– ‘B’ Granted Patent (eg US 6,432,966 B)• WIPO

• A1- Application & Search Report (egWO/2006/114709A1)

• A2 - Only Application (eg WO/2003/020206A2)• A3 - Only Search Report (eg WO/2003/020206A3)• A4 - Search report by the EPO added to Search

report done by the PCT

Name Searching

• Inventor(s)

– Smita Govekar , Nandini Khedekar, etc.

• Company and Organization

– Cipla, IPCA, Strides, Pfizer, etc.

8

• Inventor(s)

– Smita Govekar , Nandini Khedekar, etc.

• Company and Organization

– Cipla, IPCA, Strides, Pfizer, etc.

Subject Searching• Key words

TitlesAbstractClaims, etc.

• Classification codes:The International Patent ClassificationOther classification schemes

ECLA (The European Classification)US classificationBritish classification

9

• Key wordsTitlesAbstractClaims, etc.

• Classification codes:The International Patent ClassificationOther classification schemes

ECLA (The European Classification)US classificationBritish classification

Subject SearchingCont…..

• The International Patent ClassificationThe IPC divides patentable technology into 8key areas:Section A: Human NecessitiesSection B: Performing Operations,

TransportingSection C: Chemistry, MetallurgySection D: Textiles, PaperSection E: Fixed ConstructionsSection F: Mechanical Engineering,

Lighting, Heating, WeaponsSection G: PhysicsSection H: Electricity

10

• The International Patent ClassificationThe IPC divides patentable technology into 8key areas:Section A: Human NecessitiesSection B: Performing Operations,

TransportingSection C: Chemistry, MetallurgySection D: Textiles, PaperSection E: Fixed ConstructionsSection F: Mechanical Engineering,

Lighting, Heating, WeaponsSection G: PhysicsSection H: Electricity

International Patent Classification (WIPO)Cont…..

11

International Patent Classification (WIPO)Cont…..

12

International Patent Classification (EPO)Cont…..

13

14

Search Engines

Free Sites• USPTO• Espacenet• WIPO• Free Patents Online• Google Patent Search• Indian Patent Office,

etc.

Paid Sites• STN,• DialogPRO• Thomson

Corporation– Delphion– Patentweb– Aureka– Derwent– MicroPatent,

etc.

15

Free Sites• USPTO• Espacenet• WIPO• Free Patents Online• Google Patent Search• Indian Patent Office,

etc.

Paid Sites• STN,• DialogPRO• Thomson

Corporation– Delphion– Patentweb– Aureka– Derwent– MicroPatent,

etc.

For some more databases :http://www.wipo.int/ipdl/en/resources/links.jsp

WIPO

16

USPTO

17

Espacenet

18

Indian Patent Search

19

Indian Patent SearchCont…..

20

Indian Patent SearchCont…..

21

Indian Patent SearchCont…..

22

23

24

Orange Book

25

Orange BookCont…..

26

Orange BookCont…..

27

Orange BookCont…..

28

Orange BookCont…..

29

ESPACENET

30

ESPACENETCont…..

31

ESPACENETCont…..

32

ESPACENETCont…..

33

ESPACENETCont…..

34

USPTO

35

USPTOCont…..

36

USPTOCont…..

37

WIPO

38

WIPOCont…..

39

WIPOCont…..

40

INDIA

41

INDIACont…..

42

STN• Provides global access to published research, journal

literature, patents, structures, sequences,properties, and other data.

• You can search patent data such as:– Front page information, e.g., patent number,

patent assignee, title.– Abstracts, Full-text, Legal status, Patent family– Database specific indexing, e.g., names and

structures for specific or Markush structures,sequences, concepts.

• To access STN you need to obtain authorization fromSTN service center to set up an STN account.

• Price List - http://www.stn-international.de/fileadmin/be_user/STN/pdf/prices/2010_USD_STN_Pricelist.pdf

http://www.stn-international.de/stn_home.html?&L=0

43

• Provides global access to published research, journalliterature, patents, structures, sequences,properties, and other data.

• You can search patent data such as:– Front page information, e.g., patent number,

patent assignee, title.– Abstracts, Full-text, Legal status, Patent family– Database specific indexing, e.g., names and

structures for specific or Markush structures,sequences, concepts.

• To access STN you need to obtain authorization fromSTN service center to set up an STN account.

• Price List - http://www.stn-international.de/fileadmin/be_user/STN/pdf/prices/2010_USD_STN_Pricelist.pdf

DialogPRO

• Review worldwide Patent, Trademark, andCopyright Developments, view Online Patent Images,news on Litigation, Settlements, and IP regulations.

• Databases include U.S. copyright data, trademarksfrom 14 countries plus the European Community andWIPO, four million trademark images, Japanesetrademarks in English, over 15 million patentscovering 60 countries, U.S. business process patentsand Korean patent application abstracts in English.

• Price List:http://support.dialog.com/pricing/dialog1/dialog1_pricing.pdf

http://www.dialog.com/

44

• Review worldwide Patent, Trademark, andCopyright Developments, view Online Patent Images,news on Litigation, Settlements, and IP regulations.

• Databases include U.S. copyright data, trademarksfrom 14 countries plus the European Community andWIPO, four million trademark images, Japanesetrademarks in English, over 15 million patentscovering 60 countries, U.S. business process patentsand Korean patent application abstracts in English.

• Price List:http://support.dialog.com/pricing/dialog1/dialog1_pricing.pdf

Delphion

• Patent Collection Descriptions– US Granted Patents & Applications– EP Granted Patents & Applications– Derwent World Patents Index (DWPI)– German Granted Patents & Applications– INPADOC Family and Legal Status– Patent Abstracts of Japan (JP)– Switzerland (CH)– WIPO PCT Publications (WO)

• Price List– Delphion Unlimited $292.60 per month– Delphion Premier $146.30 per month

http://www.delphion.com/research/

45

• Patent Collection Descriptions– US Granted Patents & Applications– EP Granted Patents & Applications– Derwent World Patents Index (DWPI)– German Granted Patents & Applications– INPADOC Family and Legal Status– Patent Abstracts of Japan (JP)– Switzerland (CH)– WIPO PCT Publications (WO)

• Price List– Delphion Unlimited $292.60 per month– Delphion Premier $146.30 per month

MicroPatent• Online patent & trademark information.• Full text of US, DE, EP, GB, JP (abstracts

only) and PCT• PatentWeb

– access PatSearch Full Text with either a daily oran annual subscription.

– access MPI-INPADOC Plus with an annualsubscription only.

• Aureka– Searches and Transforms complex patent

information into lucid, organized knowledge

http://www.micropat.com

46

• Online patent & trademark information.• Full text of US, DE, EP, GB, JP (abstracts

only) and PCT• PatentWeb

– access PatSearch Full Text with either a daily oran annual subscription.

– access MPI-INPADOC Plus with an annualsubscription only.

• Aureka– Searches and Transforms complex patent

information into lucid, organized knowledge

47

Importance of Searching theLegal Status

Whether,

• Patent has been Granted or not

• Granted Patent is still in Force or not.

• Patent has been granted Patent TermExtension/SPC.

• There are any Amendments to the Claims

• The Ownership of patent has Changed

i.e. Assigned, Licensed, etc.48

Whether,

• Patent has been Granted or not

• Granted Patent is still in Force or not.

• Patent has been granted Patent TermExtension/SPC.

• There are any Amendments to the Claims

• The Ownership of patent has Changed

i.e. Assigned, Licensed, etc.

Legal Status - US

49

Legal Status - USCont…..

50

Legal Status - USCont…..

51

Legal Status - USCont…..

52

Legal Status - USCont…..

53

Legal Status - USCont…..

54

Legal Status - EP

55

Legal Status - EPCont…..

Country - Monaco

56

Country - Netherlands

• Sec 153 read with rule 134 along with prescribed fee.• Rule 134. Request for information under section 153(1) A request for information in respect of the following matters relating to any patent or

application for patent shall be admissible, namely :-(a) as to when a complete specification following a provisional specification has been filed or

an application for patent has been deemed to have been abandoned;(b) as to when publication of application has been made under section 11A;(c) as to when an application has been withdrawn under section 11B;(d) as to when a request for examination has been made under section 11B;(e) as to when the examination report has been issued under section 12;(f) as to when an application for patent has been refused;(g) as to when a patent has been granted;(h) as to when a renewal fee has been paid;(i) as to when a term of a patent has expired or shall expire;(j) as to when an entry has been made in the register or application has been made for the

making of such entry; or(k) as to when any application is made or action taken involving an entry in the register,

publication in the Official Journal or otherwise, if the nature of the application or actionis specified in the request.

(2) Separate request shall be made in respect of each item of information required.(3) The fee payable on a request to be made under section 153 shall be as set out in the

First Schedule.Fees: Rs.300 – For natural person (s)

Rs. 1200 - For other than natural person (s) either alone or jointly with naturalperson (s).

Legal Status - INDIA

57

• Sec 153 read with rule 134 along with prescribed fee.• Rule 134. Request for information under section 153(1) A request for information in respect of the following matters relating to any patent or

application for patent shall be admissible, namely :-(a) as to when a complete specification following a provisional specification has been filed or

an application for patent has been deemed to have been abandoned;(b) as to when publication of application has been made under section 11A;(c) as to when an application has been withdrawn under section 11B;(d) as to when a request for examination has been made under section 11B;(e) as to when the examination report has been issued under section 12;(f) as to when an application for patent has been refused;(g) as to when a patent has been granted;(h) as to when a renewal fee has been paid;(i) as to when a term of a patent has expired or shall expire;(j) as to when an entry has been made in the register or application has been made for the

making of such entry; or(k) as to when any application is made or action taken involving an entry in the register,

publication in the Official Journal or otherwise, if the nature of the application or actionis specified in the request.

(2) Separate request shall be made in respect of each item of information required.(3) The fee payable on a request to be made under section 153 shall be as set out in the

First Schedule.Fees: Rs.300 – For natural person (s)

Rs. 1200 - For other than natural person (s) either alone or jointly with naturalperson (s).

Legal Status - INDIACont…..

58

• WIPO:http://www.wipo.int/portal/index.html.en

• India Patent Office:http://www.patentoffice.nic.in/

• USPTO - http://www.uspto.gov/• EPO: http://ep.espacenet.com/• Office of Harmonization for the Internal

Market (OHIM): EU agency responsible forregistering trade marks and designs thatare valid in all 27 countries of the EU.http://oami.europa.eu/RCDOnline/RequestManager

59

• WIPO:http://www.wipo.int/portal/index.html.en

• India Patent Office:http://www.patentoffice.nic.in/

• USPTO - http://www.uspto.gov/• EPO: http://ep.espacenet.com/• Office of Harmonization for the Internal

Market (OHIM): EU agency responsible forregistering trade marks and designs thatare valid in all 27 countries of the EU.http://oami.europa.eu/RCDOnline/RequestManager

TIME OUT• US5443036 - A method for inducing cats to

exercise consists of directing a beam of invisiblelight produced by a hand-held laser apparatusonto the floor or wall or other opaque surface inthe vicinity of the cat, then moving the laser so asto cause the bright pattern of light to move in anirregular way fascinating to cats, and to any otheranimal with a chase instinct.

• US5996568 - Process for propelling foodstuffs orthe like into a crowd

• US4344424 - Anti-eating face mask

• US5100127 - Physical exercise treadmill forquadrupeds (read animals)

60

• US5443036 - A method for inducing cats toexercise consists of directing a beam of invisiblelight produced by a hand-held laser apparatusonto the floor or wall or other opaque surface inthe vicinity of the cat, then moving the laser so asto cause the bright pattern of light to move in anirregular way fascinating to cats, and to any otheranimal with a chase instinct.

• US5996568 - Process for propelling foodstuffs orthe like into a crowd

• US4344424 - Anti-eating face mask

• US5100127 - Physical exercise treadmill forquadrupeds (read animals)