There are many steps involved in a patent searching, and it is not always clear where to start. What do you need? How do you find the information? What do you do if you need to know a little more about something? There are so many details that can be confusing for someone who is new at the patent searching game. As a new patent searcher, there are some tips that you can follow to make your work easier.
1.Expect to work Hard
As a new patent searcher, you can expect to work hard. There will be a lot of new information to learn and you will need to be able to work quickly and accurately. However, the hard work will pay off and you will soon become an expert in the field.
One of the most important things to remember as a new patent searcher is that you are not expected to know everything. Do not be afraid to ask questions or seek help from more experienced colleagues.
Also, ensure to keep up to date with the latest changes in the law. Patent law is constantly evolving, so it is important to stay on the top of the latest developments. You can do this by reading legal news sources, attending seminars, and networking with other professionals in the field.
2. Stay organized
There are a lot of moving parts to a search and if you don’t keep a track of everything, it can be easy to lose your way. One way to stay organized is to create a search plan. The plan should outline the steps you will take in your search, as well as the resources you will use. This plan will help to keep you on track and make sure that you don’t miss anything important.
Another way to stay organized is to keep a track of your results. Create a spreadsheet or document where you can record the patents you find, as well as any pertinent information about them. This will help you to keep a track of your progress and ensure that you are finding the best possible results.
Finally, don’t forget to document your process. As you search, take notes on what works and what does not. This documentation will be valuable if you ever need to repeat the process or share it with someone else.
3. Know what you are looking for
When you are starting out as a patent searcher, it is important to know what you are looking for. There are many different types of patents, and each one has its own unique search process.
One of the most important things to do when you are starting your search is to identify the key words and concepts that you want to search for. This will help you to narrow down your search and find the most relevant results.
Finally, don’t forget to check the USPTO website regularly for updates on the latest patent searches. This is a great resource for new searchers, as i it can help you to stay up-to-date on the latest search techniques and strategies.
4. Look for prior art
As a new patent searchers, it is important to understand the concept of prior art. Prior art is defined as any information that has been publicly available before the date of filing of application. This can include things like patents, publications, and even disclosures.
They can be used to invalidate a claim in the patent application. If you can find prior art that discloses the same invention as the one claimed in a patent application, then the patent application is not novel and is not entitled to protection.
When searching for prior art, it is important to use keyword searches to narrow down your results. You can also search for specific patents or publications using citations data.
Once you have found some relevant prior art, you should read it carefully to see if it disclosed the same invention as the one claimed in the patent application. If so, then you can use the prior art to invalidate the claim.
5. Learn new strategies
It is important to learn your search strategy is you are starting as a patent searcher. There are many different ways to search for patents, and you need to find the one that works best for you.
One of the most popular search strategies is the keyword search. This involves entering a keyword into a search engine and seeing what results come up.
Another popular strategy is the citation search. This involves searching for patents that have been cited by other patents. This can be a great way to find relevant patents that could not have found otherwise.
There are also many other strategies that you can use, such as the prior art search and the family member search. You can learn more about these searches by doing some research on the internet or by talking to a patent attorney.