Patent application costs half or more, but because of its important role, this step becomes one of the necessary steps in patent application. The function and significance of patent retrieval before patent application can be summarized as follows:
First of all, you can evaluate the possibility of patent application being authorized.
According to the investigation of foreign patent agencies, more than 66% of invention patents could not be authorized, most of which were due to the existence of previously published documents and the lack of novelty.
Second, it helps patent agents to better draft patent documents.
Through the preliminary patent search before the application, we can obtain the necessary information to understand the existing technology, so that we can compare the existing technology and describe the beneficial effects and creativity of the application, as well as the essential differences with the existing technology. This is very important for future substantive review.
Third, the preliminary patent search before application will improve the application scheme.
Through the preliminary search before application, we can get some relevant comparison documents, which are likely to contain references, which will help the applicant to improve the technical scheme, so as to better put forward the technical scheme and obtain the best protection effect.
Fourth, the preliminary patent search before application can save you time and money.
Usually refers to the time from the application for a patent for invention to whether the patent is granted or not. If the applicant does not conduct a preliminary patent search before applying for a patent, once the patent is not authorized or the scope of protection is narrowed, it will not only lose the application fee, but also lose valuable time and energy.
Multiple values of patent retrieval
Search before R&D: Before R&D, we can determine whether the technological innovation has been patented or patented by others through IncoPat's scientific and technological innovation information platform;
Novelty search before patent application: it can be determined whether the technical scheme is novel before application, so as to determine whether the technical scheme can apply for a patent;
Search to prevent infringement: through search, the possibility that products manufactured or sold fall into the scope of patent protection of others can be ruled out;
Evidence collection and retrieval in invalid procedures: the retrieved previously disclosed technology can be used as evidence to question the novelty and creativity of the other party's patent right in invalid procedures.
Patent information analysis: By searching and analyzing all patents on a certain technical subject, we can extract important market information, technical information, R&D information and technical development direction information, which has important guiding significance for patent layout and innovation in R&D direction.