Abstract

A GUIDE TO PERFORM AN EFFECTIVE PATENT SEARCHING AND ITS ADVANTAGES: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

Darshana Pravinchandra Panhale* and Ravindranath Bhanudas Saudagar

Abstract

Patent search is a search made to determine whether a particular invention is novel when it is invented. It is usually done by searching the databases of previously issued patents. The number of patents being filed is increasing every year. For instance, in 2014-2015, around 42,723 patent applications were filed in India. Patent searching evaluates the chances of getting a patent grant. Therefore, instead of going forth with the filing, if one conducts the patent search, one can get a clear idea about the patentability of the invention; whether the application should be filed and the strengths and weakness of the invention. Before applying for patent registration, it is always better to know the prior arts similar to the proposed invention and possibilities and complexities involved in dealing with the prosecution process and get the benefit of patent search.

Keywords: Patent, Prior Art, Patent Searching, Databases, Advantages of Patent Searching, Importance, Conclusion.