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

https://www.cpaglobal.com/

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