Prior Art Search
A prior art search is a comprehensive and systematic examination of existing public knowledge and documentation in a specific technical or scientific field. The primary purpose of a prior art search is to identify any information
About the service
A "prior art search" refers to the process of systematically researching and identifying all relevant information, documents, and publicly available knowledge that existed before a particular invention or innovation.
Methodology
The Methodology of Prior Art search involves broadly scoping, understanding, searching, analysis, and reporting.
Scope of the Project
The Prior Art search project encompasses patents and published patent applications worldwide, focusing on Prior Art.
The Prior Art search is conducted in three phases, following a structured approach :
Step 1
Understanding the Technology
In this initial phase, we immerse ourselves in the domain of interest of the technology.
Step 3
Analysis and Reporting
We identify the relevant patent references on the basis of Title, Abstract, and Claims based screening before the cutoff date.
Step 2
Searching
We conduct an exhaustive search across both patent and non-patent databases, adhering to a specific cutoff date.
Cutoff Date : The duration of protection granted to patents shall extend for a minimum of twenty years from the date of application filing. Hence, in modern patent laws, patents generally have a term of 20 years commencing from the application filing date.
Our search strategies encompass :
- Keyword-based searching
- Class-based searching, including IPC/CPC/US Classifications.
- Assignee and inventor-based searching.
- Citation searching, to identify related design patents
For patents, we harness databases like Orbit (from Questel, covering ~100 jurisdictions)., Derwent Innovation (covering ~100 jurisdictions worldwide), Google Patent, and Espacenet.
Non-patent literature searches cover pertinent databases such as ScienceDirect, PubChem, Pubmed, CiteseerX, Google, and Google Scholar, etc. to retrieve relevant prior art before the cutoff date.
Deliverable Format The final deliverable is a structured MS Excel-based report. This report includes all references located during the search.
At Effectual Services, we follow a rigorous and systematic approach to Prior Art searches, ensuring that our clients receive a comprehensive and well-organized report that aids informed decision-making and innovation in their respective domains.
Why Choose us?
There are several compelling reasons to choose Effectual Services for your Prior Art search needs
"At Effectual, we have successfully delivered 1000+ Prior Art search projects worldwide in various branches of science for gathering and analyzing the latest advancements and innovations in specific scientific fields such as biotechnology, chemistry, environmental science, computer science, medical science, material science, agricultural science, neuroscience, energy science, aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering searches etc.
As a leader in IP services, we bring proven expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to your success.
"Unlock Innovation and Stay Ahead of the Curve! Choose Effectual Services for Your Prior Art Search Today.
Join hands with us and experience the difference. Contact us today to explore how we can make your projects a resounding success !
Contact Us NowCase Study
Method for producing a workpiece surface on a bar-shaped workpiece
Challenges
Our client, a leading manufacturing company, has pioneered innovations in Laser Workpiece technology. The invention pertains to a specialized method applied to a specific type of workpiece. In highly specialized technical fields, finding relevant prior art can be challenging due to variations in terminology used across patents and publications. It's crucial to select appropriate keywords and phrases for the search.
Solution
Our team conducted a focused search for Laser Workpiece technology to advance through cutting-edge solutions. To begin the search, we utilized patent databases like the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), European Patent Office (EPO), and WIPO's PatentScope, employing the selected keywords for both broad and specific searches. We also paid close attention to patent classifications (CPC, IPC) to refine our search. Furthermore, we expanded our exploration to encompass non-patent literature, exploring scientific and technical literature databases such as IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, and academic journals, recognizing that academic papers, conference proceedings, and technical manuals may hold valuable prior art.
Outcome
We identified numerous pertinent patents encompassing Laser Workpiece technology concepts akin to those proposed by the client. This enabled the client to make well-informed decisions regarding potential modifications to their claims, ensuring avoidance of potential patent infringement while still attaining their desired performance attributes.
Client testimonial
FAQ
A prior art search is typically required in various situations, particularly when dealing with intellectual property (IP) matters, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as innovation and product development.
Conducting a Prior Art search is necessary for several reasons, primarily related to protecting your intellectual property (IP) rights, avoiding legal disputes, and making informed decisions.
Filing patents offers several key benefits, including :
- Assessing Novelty : A Prior Art search helps determine whether your invention, innovation, or creative work is novel and unique. It identifies similar existing technologies, products, or creations that may impact your ability to obtain IP protection.
- IP Protection : For inventors and innovators, a Prior Art search is crucial before filing a patent application. It allows you to strengthen your patent claims by identifying relevant prior art and differentiating your invention from existing technologies.
- Risk Mitigation : Prior Art searches are essential for businesses and individuals to assess the risk of infringing on existing patents or IP rights when developing new products or technologies. This proactive approach helps avoid costly legal disputes and liabilities.
- Freedom to Operate (FTO) : Businesses can use Prior Art searches to conduct FTO analyses, ensuring that they have the legal freedom to manufacture, market, and sell their products without infringing on third-party IP rights.
- IP Portfolio Management : Companies with existing IP portfolios benefit from regular Prior Art searches to evaluate the validity and enforceability of their patents. It helps identify opportunities for patent maintenance, licensing, or enforcement.
- Strategic Decision-Making : Prior Art searches inform strategic decisions related to product development, market entry, and IP protection. They help identify opportunities and potential risks that impact business strategy.
- Litigation Preparation : In IP litigation, Prior Art searches help identify relevant references that strengthen the case or challenge the validity of opposing patents. They provide a solid foundation for legal arguments.
- Due Diligence : Investors and venture capitalists use Prior Art searches as part of due diligence when evaluating potential investments in startups or companies with significant IP assets. It aids in assessing the value and risk associated with the IP.
- Informed Innovation : Researchers and innovators benefit from Prior Art searches to understand the existing state of knowledge in their field, identify gaps, and build on prior work effectively.
- Technology Transfer : Academic institutions and technology transfer offices use Prior Art searches to assess the commercial potential of research discoveries and facilitate technology transfer agreements with industry partners.
- Cost Savings : Identifying relevant prior art early in the innovation process can save significant costs. It helps avoid investing resources in projects that may infringe on existing IP rights or have limited commercial viability.
Yes, a Prior Art search can be tailored to specific geographic regions. In fact, geographic specificity is often an important consideration in the search process, particularly in the context of intellectual property (IP) matters like patents and trademarks.
A Prior Art search can provide several significant benefits to your business, regardless of its size or industry. Here's how conducting a Prior Art search can benefit your business :
Protecting Intellectual Property (IP) Rights :- Patent Protection : A Prior Art search helps assess the novelty of your inventions before filing a patent application. This ensures that your innovations meet the criteria for patentability and reduces the risk of patent rejection.
- Trademark Clearance : Before registering a trademark, a Prior Art search helps verify its uniqueness and availability in your target market. This prevents trademark conflicts and potential rebranding efforts.
- Copyright Validation : For creative works, such as literary, artistic, or musical creations, a Prior Art search ensures that your work is original and not subject to copyright restrictions.
- Freedom to Operate (FTO) Analysis : Businesses can use Prior Art searches to assess the risk of infringing on existing patents or IP rights when developing new products or technologies. This proactive approach helps avoid costly legal disputes and liabilities.
- Litigation Preparation : In IP litigation, Prior Art searches help identify relevant references that can strengthen your case or challenge the validity of opposing patents. They provide a solid foundation for legal arguments.
- Product Development : Prior Art searches support product development efforts by providing insights into existing technologies. They help identify opportunities for innovation and guide research and development teams.
- Assessing IP Assets : Regular Prior Art searches help companies evaluate the validity and enforceability of their existing patents. It assists in identifying opportunities for patent maintenance, licensing, or enforcement.
- Strategic IP Decisions : Prior Art searches inform strategic decisions related to IP protection, enforcement, and monetization. They help you prioritize which IP assets to maintain, license, or divest.
- Avoiding Redundant Efforts : Identifying relevant prior art early in the innovation process can save significant costs by avoiding investments in projects that may infringe on existing IP rights or have limited commercial viability.
- Market Expansion : For businesses expanding globally, Prior Art searches help tailor IP strategies to different regions, ensuring that IP rights are protected and enforced in relevant markets.
- Confidence in Innovation : Knowing that your innovations do not infringe on existing IP rights provides confidence in your ability to bring them to market successfully. This confidence can be a valuable asset when seeking investors, partners, or customers.
- Respect for IP Rights : Conducting Prior Art searches demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices and respect for the IP rights of others. It reduces the risk of damaging your brand's reputation through legal disputes or IP-related controversies.
Competitor Analysis
A competitor analysis in the context of prior art refers to the process of evaluating and studying the patents and intellectual property (IP) portfolios of competing companies or entities within a specific industry or technical field.
Freedom to Operate (FTO)
Effectual Services offers a comprehensive Freedom to Operate (FTO) service to ensure your innovations can move forward in the market without infringement concerns.
Technology Trend Analysis
Analyze the latest advancements and trends within specific industries or technology sectors. This helps businesses stay competitive and align their strategies with emerging technologies.
Product Portfolio Assessment
Assess clients own product portfolios and compare them with competitors' offerings. This informs product development, innovation, and strategic decision-making.
