(1) Before enterprises develop new products, export products and introduce technology.
1. Develop new products-avoid repeated research and development and improve innovation efficiency.
2. Export products-avoid the risk of overseas patent infringement and seize the opportunity to obtain patents overseas.
3. Introducing technology-helping enterprises to correctly evaluate the value and possible risks of imported technology, such as the risk of invalid patents, the need to obtain the license of basic patents, and the risk of cross-licensing of subordinate rights and basic patents.
In addition, searching for competitors' patents can help enterprises grasp the R&D direction and patent layout of competitors and obtain effective competitive intelligence. Patent search for similar products can help enterprises find potential competitors and competing products and prepare for patent attack and defense. In a word, from the commercial point of view, patent retrieval is helpful for enterprises to make scientific R&D decisions and improve patent quality and competitiveness.
(two) in the patent application, examination, invalid stage and patent infringement litigation:
Patent writing stage-patent retrieval can not only ensure the innovation of patent application, improve the rate of over-examination, but also help applicants avoid existing patents and adopt the most appropriate technical route.
Patent examination stage-the applicant's further patent search can make the reply of examination opinions well-founded and complete.
Patent Invalidation Procedure and Patent Infringement Litigation-Patent invalids and patent infringers usually defend their claims based on the retrieved existing technologies.
Patent retrieval can not only provide a basis for product research and development, business decision-making, but also provide support for patent confirmation and rights protection. For enterprises that focus on technology research and development and introduction, it is very necessary to find a reliable and efficient patent retrieval method, which will greatly save research costs and avoid detours. This paper will discuss the methods and skills of patent retrieval with readers based on the author's practical experience.
Legal basis: Article 26, paragraph 1, of the Patent Law of the General Principles of the Civil Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). When applying for a patent for invention or utility model, the applicant shall submit the request, specification, abstract, patent right and other documents.