General search resources and tools
In order to conduct a thorough patent search, the searcher needs to be familiar with patent search tools and resources. Some of these are listed below. Once a searcher receives a search request and before beginning the search, they must lay out the scope of the search, balancing the extent of the search with the client's time limit. The search scope is adjusted as the search is conducted depending on various factors, such as whether the art is crowded and whether knowledgable primary examiners are available. It is generally assumed that the client wants the search results ASAP in order to determine whether to pursue a patent application. It is very helpful if the searcher is already familiar with terminology and technical jargon, including an ability to decipher non-English documents to decide their relevancy.
Patent search tools
- Classification systems - searcher should be familiar with US and ECLA
- Database query engines - searcher should be familiar with query structures, syntax, indices
Patent search resources
- Patent databases - USPTO facilities, on-line (US, EP, JP)
- Internet - web sites of trade associations, companies, educational institutions
- Libraries, journals - Library of Congress, Depository Libraries and web sites