Patent Searches

Before undertaking the time and expense of filing an international patent, it is important to conduct a thorough search of the competitive landscape. At Murgitroyd & Company, this aspect of the intellectual property process is taken seriously and we have developed searching procedures that give our clients the best possible search at the best value.

The types of patent search that we can undertake include:

• Patentability search
• Validity search
• Infringement/freedom to operate search
• Applicant/inventor name search
• Family search

The process begins with our in-house search department and a dedicated team of experienced searchers. In order to ensure that the search is as tightly focused as possible within each client’s budget, this staff member first determines the scope of the search and devises the optimum strategy to locate relevant documents. This is often a dynamic process with the strategy being refined as the search progresses.

Our searchers have access to a number of specialist patent search databases, the choice of which one(s) to use being based on the scope and nature of the search.

Once the search is completed, the results are turned over to the attorneys on the client’s legal team, who then distill the information and inform the client of the results.

Additionally, our searchers utilise software that enables the actual patent documents to be downloaded from internet sources (30 million documents are available in this way). These documents can be saved conveniently as .pdf files for supplying to clients when required. 

If you would like to discuss how exactly we can help you, call me directly at +44 (0) 141 307 8400 or send an email to russell.thom@murgitroyd.com.

Russell Thom

Director, Patents