View
2
Download
0
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
CREATIVE
THE SIX HABITSof an expert patent searcher
SLEUTH
CURIOUSFOCUS
LOGIC DETAIL
The environment in which patent searchers work has changed significantly in just the last few years. Every industry from
pharmaceuticals to mobile technology to automotive has seen an explosion in technological advancement. Many products are
brought to market in 5 years or less, not the 20 or more that used to be accepted as standard. The skills required to conduct a
focussed, accurate and – above all – e�ective patent search have evolved as well.
But what does it take to be an expert patent searcher?
Some vendors and businesses rely solely on a few simple search resources. Expert patent searchers rely on technology as a
tool, to be sure. But the skills at the heart of the job cannot be wholly replaced by technology. That’s because the best patent
searchers bring qualities that even the most powerful machines cannot. A relentless pursuit of the truth. An insatiably curious
and detail-oriented nature. A logical approach to problem-solving. And, on their quest for the truth, an ability to apply both a
laser-like focus and a think-outside-the-box, creative mentality.
These qualities may come naturally to an individual. They can also be nurtured and fostered over time. Here, we explore the
habits required of patent searchers who aspire to produce outstanding results in the challenging modern age of patent search.
INTRODUCTION
CREATIVE
SLEUTH
CURIOUS
FOCUS
LOGIC
DETAIL
THE SIX HABITS OFAN EXPERT SEARCHER
1. RELEASE YOUR INNER SLEUTH
2. STAY CURIOUS
3. LOVE THE DETAIL
4. TAKE THE LOGICAL APPROACH
5. BE FOCUSED
6. THINK CREATIVELY
• Have I looked beyond the obvious at other technologies?
• Have I considered non-traditional resources for NPL that may have been overlooked?
• Do I need to adjust the next stage of the search based on these unexpected interim results?
• Do I need to get more input from the customer?
RELEASE YOUR INNER SLEUTH
It’s not often we get to dig deeper, investigate further, cast an even wider net, and question what is retrieved. E�ective
patent searchers are excited by the thrill of the hunt and dedicated to finding the best possible results. They proudly wear
their detective hat at all stages of patent search, and resist the urge to give in to the series of dead ends that can arise
during the process.
If only patent search were as simple as developing and reviewing an initial, single list of documents and then preparing the
report. This is just not the case. Success requires an active, iterative process with a searcher confronting many puzzling
questions along theway. Finding the answers to these questions is the true inspiration for the excellent searcher.
OWN YOUR EXPERTISE… BUT STAY CURIOUS
Even the most expert patent searchers realise that there is always more to learn…something waiting to be discovered.
Time, education and technical know-how account for a lot, but being curious and eager to explore the latest developments
in a technical area of focus is the bridge to continuous learning…and excellent patent search.
That said, the universe of patent and non-patent literature grows exponentially every day. It’s simply not possible for one
individual to keep up with every new technical development, every new patent and piece of non-patent technical literature,
and every new searching tool or resource relating to their area of expertise.
The curious searcher will do a better job of keeping up-to-date than a searcher lacking this drive, because they are
eagerly exploring new technologies and new search resources every day. In our world, curiosity motivates expert
searchers to come to work every day to perform a job that they love.
The net impact for customers is altogether better search results.
y.u
c
detai
ear
y.
ted
e
ted
e
res
t.
detai
eg
n
W
e
c
n
u
earear
y.
ear
y.
detail-oriented
ehe elements and objectives of the searc
a
n to detail impacts every aspect of a well-con
nearthed with precision, confidence and accu
p
ry as
dence
ve
rec
very as
recision, confidence
art of the reference in the report res
ference that prove a better fit.
o
”
Big ideas are only as powerful as the detail behind them.
To perform a search is to become intimate with the elements and objectives of the search. Every piece of patent data
or non-patent literature can potentially be critical to the quality of the search. Making sense of all these components
requires the discipline of a Zen master - the ability to “become one” with the data.
A similar, all-encompassing Zen-like dedication to detail impacts every aspect of a well-conducted search. Because of this
diligent devotion, the details are strategically unearthed with precision, confidence and accuracy.
• FAILURE TO USE BEST CITATION
A searcher may find a great reference and cite a part of the reference in the report results. Without being detail-oriented,
other passages may be missed within that same reference that prove a better fit.
• CRITICAL DATE
For prior art searches, making a mistake regarding the critical date driving the search is a fatal error. This could involve
performing searches or evaluating references in a results list based on an incorrect date.
LOVE THE DETAIL
Logic, not luck, generates results.
Performing patent and technical literature searches requires a logical, structured approach. This is where the science of
patent searching comes in to play. The “spaghetti approach” of throwing search terms at a wall to see what sticks will
intermittently yield quality results. But this tactic is unreliable and unsustainable, and eventually indefensible to the customer.
Logical thinking is at the core of every successful patent search, but the excellent patent searcher must apply creative
thinking skills within a logical framework to surface the very best results. Adjustments will be made based on interim results,
but the searcher will always operate within the structure provided by the search strategy.
ALWAYS TAKE THE LOGICAL APPROACH
• Develop the search strategy, including defining keywords, types of searches performed
and in what order, and specific resources to incorporate
• Perform the search based on defined keywords and approach
• Ensure a thorough, comprehensive search of all resources
• Review and evaluate search results
• Prepare the report of search results
Your focus determines your reality.
Dedicated athletes training for a major competition know the importance of focus.
They plan every hour of their day to ensure they do their best to achieve the desired result.
Similarly, the patent searcher works under tight time constraints, with a mandate to find the best references available to meet
the requirements of the project. An expert patent searcher must approach each project with a laser-like focus on the search
objectives.
The e�ort that follows flows from a focus on performing every step in the project, including:
BE FOCUSED
resu
t o meet references ava
lik
references ava o meet
r-lik
uding:
resu
t o meet
ct wit
references avareferences ava
r-lik
references ava o meet
r-lik
rming
on kn
they resu
r tight t t
at ct wit
cus on per
approach each p app approach each p
rming uding
imp
o ach
th a mand
app
• Excellent searchers maintain intense focus on their e�orts throughout every search. Distractions can’t be allowed to disrupt
their flow of thinking as they execute the search strategy, evaluate search results and prepare the final report.
• An excellent, focused searcher learns how to quickly identify which references are relevant to the search’s objectives and
which are not. They learn how to remain focused without fail on the task in front of them and when it’s time to take a deep
breath, pause for a moment, and refocus.
THINK CREATIVELY
Patent searching is both an art and a science.
On the one hand searching requires structure and process. But on the other hand, an excellent searcher must also
demonstrate the insights and flashes of brilliance more often associated with the artist to gather and identify results
needed to make critical business and legal decisions.
The ability to think creatively is one of the most critical, but least celebrated, characteristics required of an excellent patent
searcher. The primary goal of any search is to uncover references that precisely meet your requirements. An ordinary
search following a formulaic, defined search process will find the low-hanging fruit that could be quickly located by anyone.
A more creative mind-set is required when a searcher must delve further and deeper into the literature to locate stronger,
less obvious references. In many cases, it may not be possible to find the “perfect” reference, so taking a creative approach
is necessary to identify and pinpoint the “next best” reference.
“To be e ective, an excellent patent searcher gets inside the head of the customer, inventors, academics, and attorneys
who produce the world’s patent and non-patent technical literature – requiring a level of empathy and understanding
that often goes unrecognized.”
This course comprehensively teaches how to conduct a
professional patent search, providing direction for determining
when a search is needed and what types and sources of
information should be searched in the process.
when, how, where, and why to conduct a search,
and this course is appropriate for both those who will conduct the
search or those who will commission it. The course ends with a
workshop that gives attendees the opportunity to practice
hands-on patent searching alongside the course instructors.
At CPA Global, we know patent search. We are the only
hing and preliminary
examination of PCT applications for the USPTO since 2005.
THE ART & SCIENCEOF PATENT SEARCHING
WANT TOLEARN MORE?
You will learn
Art & Science of Patent Searching is taught by two
leaders in CPA Global’s Patent Search group (formerly
Landon IP), and the curriculum reflects the aggregated
expertise of the company in conducting thousands of
searches for law firm and corporate clients.
Click below for upcoming dates.
For details of forthcoming PRG Courses visit:www.patentresources.com
Telephone: 703.682.4860
company that has been performing searc
Recommended