Patentability Searches – Why Engaging Experts is Better than DIY Approach

Patent search is a critical step that lays the foundation of a patent application. Also known as novelty and prior-art search, the goal of this process is to identify whether the invention is unique or not. Before carrying out the search, it vital to realize that the methodology used in the process can directly impact the success of your patent application. So, if you are considering carrying out  patentability searches by yourself, this article explains why engaging a patent search partner is important in this high-stake process. But first, let’s understand the importance of patentability search.

Why are Patentability Searches Needed?

With global patent filings growing 4% year-on-year from 2019, there is always a chance that an invention will bear similarities with other inventions in one or more ways. So, carrying out a patentability search helps in minimizing that possibility to a great extent.

A patentability search is also used to check whether your invention fulfills the patentability criteria set by your respective patent authority.

It is apparent that this process should be highly accurate and exhaustive in order to be effective. Therefore, companies that regularly engage in research and development along with patent activities, find it beneficial to deploy external experts when it comes to patentability searches. Read on to know why search partners are of great help in the process.

3 Reasons Why You Should Engage with Search Partners

Merely conducting the search is not enough, you need to ensure that the set procedures are followed throughout the process. Search partners are well-versed in these aspects. The figure below shows how strategic assistance adds value to the patent process, which explains why you should engage an expert for your patentability searches.

Figure: 3 ways patentability search partners add value to your patent process

1. Advanced Technical Competency

External patentability search partners have a dedicated team of experts specializing in various technical domains. These professionals usually have years of experience in conducting patentability searches in their area of specialization. Since these dedicated teams work in specific domains on regular basis, it enables them to understand the technical field quite well. Similarly, the team members also make use of internal processes and tools like keyword repositories to quickly create a possible search strategy. Furthermore, these teams collaborate on technologies requiring multi-disciplinary expertise and make the best use of their experience in the process.

2. Third-Party Confirmation

Ideally, when innovators conduct the search by themselves, they focus their efforts towards identifying prior arts that are either related to the same technology domain or disclose the same problems solved by the invention. They make sure that no prior-art gets missed while limiting the search to specific technology domain. On the other hand, third-party experts focus their search strategy to explore multiple technology domains. They understand how the cross-domain patents might act as prior-art in combination with other identified patents. Thus, they ensure that no relevant patent gets skipped from the patent law perspective.

3. Well-Defined Processes and Tools

Expert patentability search partners understand the significance of being the first when it comes to filing patents. They have strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) that guide their search strategies and drive quality work product. Since searching for relevant prior arts can often be time-consuming, relying on in-house teams to carry out these non-core tasks can consume a lot of resources.

With well-defined SOPs, external patent search partners know when to expend and when to curtail the time being spent on different avenues of patent searches. With the help of their time management skills that are part of their experiential competency, these analysts can develop comprehensive patentability search reports within an optimum turnaround time. This means that you will be able to devote more time and resources to your core competencies like meeting strategic objectives and planning business expansion.

Similarly, search partners also deploy highly effective tools to optimize searches. They use artificial intelligence-based tools to obtain high-quality results during preliminary searches. Thereafter, these partners further refine search results manually by using their expertise.

Conclusion

To summarise, it can be said that it is wiser to avoid risks while performing patentability searches since it’s the first critical step in patent prosecution process. A patentability search partner’s advanced technical competency and well-defined search processes and tools can help you to derive quality results in lesser time.

Sagacious IP’s credible and cost-effective patentability searches are designed to give businesses pertinent prior art. We deploy AI-based tools and the expertise of our subject matter experts to offer high-quality and cost-effective search results.

  • Rohit Kumar, Rajat Gulati (Engineering) and the Editorial Team

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