What is the most cost-effective way to perform prior art for start-ups?

1. PATENT SEARCH
An Introduction
5

2. Overview
• What is Prior Art?
• What is the Goal of Patent Search?
• Why perform Patent Search?
• What is the most cost-effective Patent Search
for a start-up?

3. Before applying for a Patent,
you have to do more than a Patent
Search…

4. Prior Art
Patents
Scientific
Journals
Publications
(Books,
Magazines
etc)
Prior Art
= Any information that is made public and related to your invention

5. Goal of Patent Search
To find prior patents that
are similar to your
invention
and
hope that there isn’t any.

6. Why do you need to patent search?
Save Save Save
Embarrassment Money Time
Better quality patent application
Note that there is no one method of patent search that can ensure
that all grounds are covered.

7. What is the most co t-effective
strategy of Patent Search for a
start-up?

8. Here’s what we suggest:
If nothing similar If something similar
to your invention to your invention
Own
Professional Invention Patent
preliminary
Search modification Application
search
If something similar
to your invention

9. Why not get a professional search
immediately?
• Cost (needless to explain further)
• Delays the filing of your patent application
 Someone can file for the same/similar
patent ahead of you
(In this case, you might want to file for provisional patent application first)
• Extracts first-hand knowledge or inspiration
from other patents related to your field

10. When to engage a professional patent search
immediately?
If your invention
• Is relatively simple
• Is in the Low-tech field
• Isn’t fully developed
• Is marginally useful
• Uses old technology
• Resembles an existing invention

11. About IP guide for Start-ups
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