Table of Contents
Research on prior art
Is your invention as new as you think?
A search of the patent databases will help you assess whether it is advisable to file a patent application. It will show whether your invention meets the validity requirements and provide inspiration on how to formulate your patent claims.
This type of research offers a global view of the latest developments in technology, within a certain domain. You can see which patents your competitors have applied for or obtained. On the basis of the patents found, you can compare your invention with the state of the art and possibly adjust the drafting of your application. By collecting relevant patents, you create a valuable knowledge base for your future work.
Technology watch
If you wish to keep up to date with the evolution and trends within your own technical discipline on a regular basis, you can follow up on the results of a patent search within a certain technical domain or from a certain company by drawing up a search profile.
Research on freedom to exploit
This research will tell you whether or not a product is already protected by a patent before you put it on the market. This will help you avoid infringing on any protection that is already in force.
A patent is usually valid for 20 years, but most patents do not remain valid the entire period. This means that most of the millions of patent documents contain technological information that everyone is free to apply in any way they want. Nevertheless, it remains important to pay attention to valid patents in order to avoid problems.
Research as part of a patent opposition or invalidity action
You can also use research results to defend yourself against accusations of counterfeiting or to challenge the validity of a granted patent.
Market insight through patent research
A patent is a strategic tool that makes it possible to detect in time the technical areas that may be important in the near future. It is therefore possible to obtain information on technical centres of gravity and trends by examining a number of applications in a given sector or from certain companies. On a macro-economic level, patents can provide information on the technological orientation of a country, a continent and even the world.
