STHC-L: The Science, Technology and Health Care Archives Forum

Patent Research

• Date:   Sun, 19 Jan 2003 15:44:33 -0500
• To:   sthc-l@library.ucla.edu
• From:   Gerald R. Black <KEYPATENT@prodigy.net>
• Subject:   Patent Research
• Message-ID:   023201c2bffb$94aa9920$30233b41@computer

A new workbook - "Keyword Patent Searching Online" - offers a fresh 
approach to patent searching using keywords only, and yielding 
professional-quality search results.  Online patent databases have 
improved dramatically in the last few years.  Patent searching is 
taught like it's never been taught before - by practicing using 
in-depth searches.

Four patent searches (using basic technologies) are the highlight of 
the book.  Each search requires about four hours.  The USPO and the EPO 
search engines are used to screen U.S. and global prior art.  
Step-by-step search solutions are provided that show how each patent is 
identified.  If the search results are promising, we recommend that the 
searcher engage an attorney to prepare a patent application. 

A partial list of the libraries using the book includes: IBM Research 
Lab - Israel, Hanford Technical Library (Battelle - Richland), 
Loughborough University - UK, University of Leeds - UK, Librairie 
Luginbuhl - France, Marquarie University - Australia, Colorado State 
University, University of Massachusetts, Michigan State University, 
Rutgers University, Wayne State University, University of Akron Law 
Library, William Mitchell College of Law Library, and the Cincinnati 
Public Library.

The book makes a compelling case that searching for U.S. and 
international patents online is the best way for searching 
patentability.  The author has been an intellectual property attorney 
for 20 years.  For more information, see http://www.keypatent.net/. 

Gerald R. Black 

(grblack@prodigy.net)