Searching

Technology allows access to unlimited levels of information. On-line national and international user friendly search sites, some free of charge, can provide data on almost any kind of subject. This has been particularly important in the area of Intellectual Property.

The unnecessary costs incurred for lodging an unsuccessful Patent, Trade Mark or Design Application can generally be avoided if appropriate searching is conducted beforehand.

Patents can act as a valuable source of information. Searching distinct fields of interest means the latest innovation of that area can be assessed. Competitors achievements can be noted and where required, used to redirect research and development in order to avoid the duplication of ideas.

However, it should be noted that preliminary searching is designed only to determine if your invention is new or 'novel'. It will not necessarily reveal information at this stage about possible infringement your invention might bring if it was taken further at a later date.

There are 4 main types of patent search:

• Patentability
• Infringement
• Validity
• State of the Art

Worldwide Patent, Trade Mark and Design literature is extensive and analysis of such vast databases can be complicated. Successful searching depends on understanding what the subject matter is and how to locate it.

Results can be limited because databases being searched don't include all countries worldwide and new information in some cases can take up to 18 months before it becomes available.

Patent specifications are also classified according to 'identifying words' and searching is based on trying to select these 'identifying words'.

Collison & Co.'s professional searchers are aware of the limitations conducting searches. They have the flexibility of accessing a large number of international databases on a 'fee paying basis' as well the 'free on-line services'.

Experience means our searchers can quickly refine search topics to keep costs down but at the same time access and locate the desired information.

Collison & Co welcomes preliminary searches by our clients and we recommend the following sites as an initial starting point:

• US Patent Bibliographic Database
  www.uspto.gov

'Free on-line' search of United States patent and Trade Marks issued from 1976 onwards.

• European Patent Office Database
  ep.espacenet.com

This is a free patent information service provided by the European Patent Office (EPO). It contains information on all Patents published in the EPO member states published after 1970.

• IP Australia
  www.ipaustralia.gov.au

This site provides an easy and comprehensive search of Australian Trade Marks. However, accessing information on Patents and Designs 'free-on-line' at this stage is much more restrictive.

If the results of your search require further interpretation or you wish to expand or refine them, Collison & Co would be happy to assist.