You have an invention, but it may be that someone else has already patented the same or similar technology or even a shape before you, even if only partially? We will do the research for you. The process is called news research, but in the jargon it's more commonly known as prior art search. As the name suggests, it is basically used to determine whether an invention satisfies the most basic requirements for patentability, novelty and inventive step.

Similarly, we carry out a news research to examine the protectability of designs and trademarks, with the difference that we use different databases and a somewhat different methodology in this case than when we carry out a news research in relation to an invention.

The news research carried out by our company has primarily a decision-preparatory role: it sets out guidelines as to which aspects of the invention will be protectable, which will not, and which features should be protected as trade secrets instead of patents. In addition, the prior art is a mandatory formality for patent applications, so a news research is also an important step in the preparation of a patent application, and it speeds up the process if the prospective applicant goes to a patent attorney with a completed news research in hand to draft the patent application.

In addition to this, a news research can also provide the researcher/inventor with insights into solutions to his/her invention that have been overlooked, helping to generate new ideas and further develop the invention. In the context of the news research, we will identify and provide you with the industrial property applications that can be taken into account for the novelty of your invention and the inventive step requirement.