An evaluation of patent searching resources: comparing the professional and free on-line databases

Paul Schwander

World Patent Information, 2000, vol. 22, issue 3, 147-165

Abstract: A review of the tools now available to the patent information searcher is provided. The benefits and limitations of free Internet databases and of commercial on-line databases are compared and constrasted. For example, the use of word searches on the Internet, optionally enhanced by IPC term, compared to the use of more sophisticated keyword, IPC/ECLA, citation analysis, competitor analysis, and the more convenient and flexible download of abstracts and full patent documents on the commercial databases. This is illustrated with some specific technical search query examples, e.g. a search for pre-rotation devices for use with aircraft landing gear, polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The potential value of other search possibilities on the Internet, such as the subject directory approach and the relevancy (i.e. sites with more links are prioritised) is also outlined.

Keywords: Free; databases; Commercial; databases; Comparitive; review; Internet; IPC; Citation; analysis; Competitor; analysis; Subject; directory; Relevancy; Keywords; State-of-the-art; Statistics; Added; value; Derwent; Esp@cenet; Search; engines (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2000
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