Technical patent analysis (not legal) is a valuable tool for decision-making, for companies, inventors, universities and even investors. The approach used to gather and analyze patent data heavily influences the type and quality of data and how it can be utilized. Determining the correct patent analysis approach can be difficult, particularly since getting high quality data can require ample resources (e.g. time, manpower, tools). Depending on the purpose of the search, stakeholders involved, and other factors, certain approaches may be more appropriate for specific circumstances. The three main approaches for patent analysis are:
Good preparation for a patent search can lead to successful and effective patent analysis, whereas the lack of preparation can lead to the disappointed stakeholders, missed IP opportunities, or wasted time. We have found that there are nine key factors that control the decision around what type of patent search is needed.
So how do you decide which patent analysis approach is needed or understand the tradeoffs of using one approach over another? The table below provides an easy-to-use guide for choosing the right patent search approach for your circumstances, using the nine key factors.
Degrees of Technical Patent Analysis: Decision Making Tool
Online Inquiry |
“Broad Sweep” Search |
Targeted Search |
|
1. Purpose |
Answer a simple question |
Understand rudimentary trends in a space |
Data to support decision-making, Answer business issues |
2. Stakeholder |
Technical |
Technical, Project Management |
Technical, Project Management, Executives, Marketing |
3. Focus
& Scope |
Detailed question |
10,000 ft view of a space, Uncomplicated space |
Complex space, Very specific concentration |
4. Resources |
Low cost & quick |
Dictated by the scope |
Flexible (based on business issues), High ROI |
5. Assistance |
None needed or IP analyst |
IP expert |
IP Strategist |
6. Depth |
Few search strings, tight parameters (e.g. single inventor, key competitor) |
Set of search strings, many jurisdictions, wider time span |
Comprehensive search strategy, detailed search strings |
7. Data
Capture |
Print a patent or possibly not needed? |
Ideal, not required |
Valuable business resource - critical to keep |
8. Quality |
Medium - low number of results enables quick human scan |
Medium-Low - relies on search string accuracy, lack of normalization |
High - human screened data, custom fields added |
9. Output |
Answer to question, informal report |
Trend analysis, Charts, Weak observations |
Detailed insights, Actionable competitive intelligence, Strategy recommendations |
Summary |
Fast, easy, direct |
Best approach for an early investigation into a space or dealing with a very large dataset |
Needed if the output will be used for making business decisions, Highest resource demand yields highest quality data |