1. Prior Art Search Centre for Industrial Design (OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL)
Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad
12 November 2018

2. Prior Art Search
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
A prior art search is undertaken to ascertain whether an invention is new and non-obvious or not.
The term “prior art” does not refer to art such as painting or sculptures.
The word “art” is used as in the phrase “state of the art” referring to cutting age technology.
Thus the term “prior art” refers to all that is already public knowledge in the area of science & technology.
12 November 2018

3. Sources of Prior Art ANY information in the public domain like:
Prior Art Search
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
Sources of Prior Art
ANY information in the public domain like:
Video recordings, News Paper & Magazine Articles, Speeches, Journal Papers, Patents, etc.
If it is public ANYWHERE in the world, it is prior art!
The most common sources include:
Patents
Published Patent Applications
Non-patent literature
12 November 2018

4. Trade or Professional Journals
Prior Art Search
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
Examples of Prior Art
Prior Art
Patents
Books
Trade or Professional Journals
Advertising Catalogs
Government Documents
Illustrations
12 November 2018

5. Importance / Advantages
Prior Art Search
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
Importance / Advantages
Avoid duplication of efforts of filing patent application for similar invention
Become better prepared
The Inventor can rework
On his invention
Patent applications
To facilitate grant of patent
Also to avoid infringement of existing patents
12 November 2018

6. Prior Art Search : Benefits
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
Prior Art Search : Benefits
Helps to distinguish between What is already known (prior art)
What is new (invention)
Can also help an inventor understand the prevailing state of art in his field of research
Guides his/her in future scope of research
Efficient use of resources: Time & Money
12 November 2018

7. Prior Art Search : Basic Steps
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
Prior Art Search : Basic Steps
Four Phases of Prior Art Search
Short listing of key words
Exhaustive search of databases
Extensive internet-based search
Analysis and interpretation of search results
12 November 2018

8. Prior Art Search
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
NOTE: Prior art search can never be COMPLETE!!! Can never say with 100% certainty that no prior art exists… Can only try and do as comprehensive a prior art search as possible and capture it properly.
12 November 2018

9. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Prior Art Search
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
IPR confers the right of ownership through several ways
Patents
Designs
Trademarks
Copyrights GI
Patents in focus mainly because of its direct impact on Industry & Economy
12 November 2018

10. Prior Art Search
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
Important IPR Sites
: World Intellectual Property Organization
: US patent & Trademark office
: UK patent office
: EU patent office
: Indian patent office
12 November 2018

11. References Prior Art Search Copyright@GTU-GIC 12 November 2018
CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN – OPEN DESIGN SCHOOL
References
[1] Presentation by Shro Padmin Buch, Managing Director GITCO at Patent Awareness Workshops at Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad [2] [3]
12 November 2018