idea discovery pack v3

8/3/2019 Idea Discovery Pack v3

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Email: [email protected] ©The Patent Factory 2011

Idea Discovery Pack

You’ve had an idea that you want to take to market. You think it has great potential, and you’re

itching to get started. You certainly don’t want to see the same idea for sale, without you having

anything to do with it. But you also don’t want to be infringing another’s rights. Our Idea

Discovery Pack is just the ticket to help you to get on the right track, and to give you a kick start

down the road to making money from the idea.

There are so many things to think about, and parts of the

jigsaw that you need to piece together. You need to have

the idea designed, make a prototype, write a business

plan, do some market research and of course secure

patent protection, but you just don’t know where to start

and what should come first. Not to mention the fact that

it’s all sounding very expensive – and you’ve heard the

rumours about how expensive the patent process can be!

But like any good super-sleuth, if you’re clever about the

route you take, and deploy our tried and tested tactics,

you can minimise the cost of securing patent protection,

without cutting any corners.

So here’s what you need to do...

Patent Search – Get Digging!

Before you ideas-types come to The Patent Factory for a professional patent search, we always

suggest that you have a good look yourself to see whether your next big idea has been done

before. We know what you clever ideas people are like – another day, another idea! If you spend a

bit of time researching each idea, it might help you to focus on those ideas with the most potential.

There’s a wealth of information on our blog offering you help with patent searching and all our tricks

of the trade. But here’s how to tackle a patent search in a nutshell ...

Use Esp@cenet or Search4ip.

As you would with any search engine, tap in a couple of keywords that you would use to

describe your idea into the ‘Keyword in title or abstract’ box.

Too many results? Add another keyword into the mix and try again.

Too few or no results? Delete a keyword and keep it more general.

Still nothing to show for it? Try keywords that describe the problem that your idea solves.

Remember that patents tend to use formal language – think pushchair or pram, not buggy.



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Email: [email protected]

Use a thesaurus or dictiona

try new keywords.

Got a result? Take a qu

mosaics, otherwise known a

Drawing looks like your id

of the description. If in doubt, print it out

professional advice befor

further.

Can’t find anything quite li

number 1 ticked. No

professional search to

findings.

And if you find something simil

end of the road. Perhaps you

found. You certainly don’t wan

out the situation in more depth

Trade Mark Se

Have you given your idea a c

consider checking out if anyone

You can of course Google it and

see if anything similar crops usomeone else has registered

expensive it could become to h

Here’s what you need to do...

Access the UK Trade M

Type your word(s) into t

Don’t worry about Se

save that for the expert

See if any word marks csimilar to yours.

If so, check out the list

are registered for.

If these are the same,

best off steering well cl

If there’s nothing quite

check your findings.

It costs just £200 to register a

additional class of goods/servicetime to make sure the name th

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ry if you need to

ick squiz at the

s drawings.

a? Have a read

! You’ll need

e you go any

e it? That’s box

you need a

confirm your

ar, or even the same, don’t be disheartened! I

an offer modifications or improvements over

t to risk infringing another’s rights – but we c

should you still wish to crack on with developm

arch – The Name Gam

tchy name? If so, and you think the name

else has used the same, or similar name, for the

check the obvious domains. You could even try

p. But your best bet is to check the Trade

he same name, and owns the trade mark

ve to change yours downstream.

rks Database here.

he box marked ‘text’.

rch Constraints for now –

s.

rop up that are identical or

of goods and services they

or similar, too, you may be

ar.

the same, ask an expert to

trade mark in the UK in one class, and an ad

s. A trade mark can be the best investment yot you have chosen for your company or your la

.patentfactory.co.uk

Patent Factory 2011

t is certainly not the

those that you have

n help you to check

ent.

e

ill stick, you should

same type of goods.

Companies House to

Marks Registry. If

or it, imagine how

itional £50 for each

make. But do taketest product is new.



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Our Top 10 Pa

Before you ideas-types come t

for a professional patent searc

that you have a good look youyour next big idea has been do

what you ideas people are

another idea! If you spend a bit

brainwave, digging out any pri

you to focus on those ideas wit

And if you find something simil

don’t be disheartened! It is ce

the road. Perhaps you can o

improvements over those thatcertainly don’t want to risk infri

– but we can help you to chec

more depth should you still w

development.

So here goes, the tricks of the t

10 years of experience digging

best bits in a nutshell, so you ca

1. Go global

We get lots of enquiries whe

protection one of the requirem

domain anywhere in the world

the UK, you need take into a

Esp@cenet allow you to do just

2. Think likOK, so you don’t need to be fl

language that you use in a key

Julius Caesar might have chose

language Patent Attorneys use

infant, or there’s even a clue i

Don’t just type in buggy and le

possible keywords too.

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ent Searching Tips &

The Patent Factory

h, we always suggest

rself to see whetherne before. We know

like – another day,

of time on each new

or art, it might help

the most potential.

r, or even the same,

tainly not the end of

fer modifications or

ou have found. Youging another’s rights

out the situation in

ish to crack on with

rade to help you to get going with patent sear

round the various patent search engines, and

become a patent searching master!

!

re people just want a UK patent search. Bu

ents from the UK Patents Act is that your idea

prior to filing. So there’s not much point just t

count the rest of the world too. Patent sea

that.

a Roman...

ent in Latin, amo amas amat and all that. Jus

word search. If you’ve an idea for the next b

n to describe it. You might now be venturing

! A buggy is also a pushchair, pram, four-wh

the Oxford English Dictionary that defines it

p for joy when there are no results – you’ve go


Patent Factory 2011

Tricks

hing. We have over

ant you to have the

t to achieve patent

is not in the public

ying to sniff it out in

rch engines such as

t be clever with the

st buggy, think how

closer to the sort of

eeled vehicle for an

as a ‘baby carriage’.

t to try all the other



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Email: [email protected] ©The Patent Factory 2011

3. Rule Britannia?

Bear in mind that people in other countries don’t call stuff the same things we do. Those across the

pond in the States would probably think a buggy was a cute name for a four legged creature.

Whereas they’d know exactly what you were after if you asked for a stroller! Other words include

perambulator, pram and pushchair. If in doubt, use a thesaurus to dig them out.

4. Bambino Motors...

So that’s the brand name you’ve dreamt up for your new range of luxury baby transportation – but

tapping that into the patent search engines isn’t going to do you much good! For the brand name

itself, you’ll need to do a trade mark search. We’ll do a blog post soon to tell you how to tackle

one of those. In the meantime, back to thinking like Julius – stick to words you’d find in the

dictionary.

5. Pretty as a Picture...

Your revised keyword strategy is working, and you’re managing to dig out lots of patents that may or

may not relate to your idea. We find the fastest way to get a good idea of what they disclose is to

take a quick squiz at the pictures. The mosaics, as they are known on Esp@cenet, will show you the

drawings that accompany the patent application. If it looks a bit similar to the scribbles in your

sketchbook, you know it’s worth taking time to read the rest of the details.

6. Boolean Operators...

Just when you thought you’d left them well and truly behind in those dreaded algebra lessons at

school, we’re making you jog your memory and put them to good use! Well just three of them...

‘AND’, ‘OR’, ‘NOT’. For an example entering ‘pushchair OR stroller OR perambulator’ in the keyword

in abstract field, will find those patents that match at least one of those words . AND is great to

narrow down your search. Whereas NOT allows you to exclude words from your search.

7. Google it!

Don’t forget to Google it too. As we said before, if your idea has been published anywhere in the

world, in any form, that forms prior art against you gaining patent protection. We don’t advise that

you think like Julius when searching on Google. You need to use the sort of language you would

use to advertise your idea. Or keywords that describe the problem you are seeking to solve. This

should help you to find out how other people are solving that very problem.



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8. Spell Che

If in doubt, use a star*. For wor

is the same and use the asterisk

‘color’ in the US, so just type col

plural versions too.

9. Dig Deep.

Patent search engines such as S

abstract. Be sure that the des

and see what crops up. By sea

with far more results. But luckil

10. If at firs

Leave it to the professionals!

finding much through your ow

find any prior art at all. And eve

on what to do next.

So by now you’ve probably had

art that might prevent you fro

Hopefully we’ve helped you to

have the most potential.

You’ve made a great start, bu

don’t want someone to reach y

we’re here to help you take tho

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ck...

ds that are spelt differently in other countries,

symbol to fill in the gaps. For an example, the

o*. Or finish a singular word with an asterisk to

..

earch4ip allow you to search the full text of the

ription box is checked in the text files, then ty

ching the description as well as the abstract, y

this search engine lets you use more keywords

you don’t succe

e realise that is not quite how the saying go

searches, we’d suggest you call in the expert

n if you have found some stuff, you need some

a good look for yourself to see whether there’s

m achieving worthwhile patent protection for

filter your own ideas, and pick out those that

don’t stop there! Every new idea has its o

our destination before you do. Patent searchi

se all important first steps with your next big i


Patent Factory 2011

just type the bit that

ord ‘colour’ is spelt

be sure to search all

patent, not just the

pe in your keywords

u’ll find you end up

.

d...

es, but if you’re not

. It’s so rare not to

all important advice

anything in the prior

your latest venture.

look as though they

n journey, and you

g is what we do and

ea.



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Usual Route V

Most people who come to The

step is to file a patent applicati

do just that! However, once yyou know it you’ll be notching u

We’re often asked ‘how much

question. But what the followi

Every idea is different, and ther

until you’re making money fr

consider employing our tried an

Usual Route...

You have an idea for a mobile

Attorney through CIPA (Charter

application on your behalf. Offi

for preparing and filing the a

investment even before you’ve

the idea.

You start the Patent Clock ticki

widget in other countries. Will

fees at this milestone begin to r

in the process.

What if the search report fro

Perhaps there’s even an identi

continue, you’re likely to infrin

or forget the project altogether,

You’ve had it designed and dev

factory, and are gearing up reado you discover you probably

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Our Route

atent Factory for help protecting their ideas ar

n. And we’re sure most Patent Attorneys wou

u file that initial application, you start the clocp considerable patent fees, long before you’ve

does it cost to get a patent?’ Well there’s no

g flow chart shows is how to be tactical about

efore every route is different too. But if you w

m the idea (without of course cutting any

d tested tactics.

widget, and you know you need to protect it

ed Institute of Patent Attorneys) and they prep

cial fees in the UK for the 1st

year are £200. P

pplication are typically in excess of £1.5k.

done much else, and long before you’re maki

g, and in 12 months time you face the ‘closing

you know by then whether your widget will e

mp up. You don’t want to be having to make t

the UK IPO comes back with similar produ

cal patent to your widget that is granted and

e another’s rights. You’d have to make big cha

and move on to your next idea.

eloped, filed a patent application, ordered vast

y to start selling. What an investment! Whaton’t achieve worthwhile patent protection aft


Patent Factory 2011

e convinced the first

ld encourage you to

k ticking, and beforemade a penny.

easy answer to this

rotecting your idea.

nt to minimise costs

orners) you should

. You find a Patent

are and file a patent

tent Attorneys fees

So that’s a fair old

ng any money from

date’ to protect your

en sell? The patent

is decision too early

cts to your widget?

in force, and if you

nges to your widget,

quantities from the

a shame if only nowr all.



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The Patent Fa

Here at The Patent Factory, weoutlay until they are starting t

new idea, have a quick look to

searching. Not found anythin

search to find out whether it is

possible infringement issues at t

Providing you don’t disclose th

you to hold off filing your UK

disclosure of the idea, ideally th

your idea is further down the rother countries comes along, y

have a better idea of whether i

You’ve also refined your widge

seeks to protect your widget in

power it differently, and this w

waiting until you know your

another patent application to c

The only risk is whether someo

busy with design & developm

happening? When you come to

would be for you to file your pa

We would always suggest that y

application. We realise they do

patent application is not somet

business, and would happily pu

We can work with you to help

all about being strategic and ge

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tory Route...

take our clients down a slightly different pathmake money from the idea. As soon as you

ee whether you can already buy it, or even try

? Get in touch with us right away so we ca

in fact new, and whether you can protect it.

his stage.

e idea without a confidentiality agreement in

patent application, until you are getting close

e product launch. You start that 12 month pate

oute. With any luck, when the 12 month ‘closou’re already making money from the idea.

will in fact sell, and in which countries.

through the design & development stage, so t

the form in which you will be selling it. Perha

sn’t covered in your earlier application. Would

idget inside out? Otherwise, you may even

ver any modifications.

ne else files a patent application for a similar

ent. But you have to ask yourself what are

The Patent Factory, we’ll help you to work out

tent application.

ou use a Chartered Patent Attorney for prepari

’t come cheap, but there is a pretty good reaso

ing you can learn overnight. We work with so

t you in touch with them.

you put together a route that is tailor-made t

ting the right bits sorted in the right order.


Patent Factory 2011

that minimises theirave come up with a

your hand at patent

run a professional

e’ll also flag up any

place, we encourage

to your first public

t clock ticking when

ing date’ for filing inYou should at least

e patent application

s you’ve decided to

n’t you be better off

find yourself filing

idget whilst you are

the chances of this

when the best time

g and filing a patent

for that! Drafting a

e of the best in the

suit your idea. It’s



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The Patent Fa

So what do we do, and how ca

Our Services

Snapshot Search Servic

We’ve launched a brand new s

most of you have lots of ideas.

pondering over just one ropey

ideas, and what you really need

So this service does just that. It

look at the prior art in this areaidea. We supply you with an ele

This service is available on

introductory price for a limited

PatentPlus Search Serv

For those that want a bit more,

Patentplus search service. Agai

sight.

We delve deeper into your idea

We explore possible infringeme

ultimately, our Patent Attorney

You can also have a chat with th

talk through the results of your

This service is available online,

service is £350.

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tory Ask our Patent

we help you to protect your idea?

e

rvice. We’ve listened to our existing customers

Gone are the days of the shed inventor that

ld contraption. You entrepreneurial-types are

is an early-stage way to filter out the best ones.

is handled solely by a UK and European Patent

and send you a professional opinion about hoctronic report that gives you the evidence to ba

line, through our website www.patentfact

period is just £95.

ce

or for those ideas that have soared through Sn

this is solely handled by a Patent Attorney – no

and dig out any prior art that may stop you fro

nt issues, and carry out patent status checks w

offers their professional opinion on how best

e Patent Attorney that handles your idea at a ti

earch and devise a plan of action going forward

through our website www.patentfactory.co.uk


Patent Factory 2011

ttorneys

and recognised that

has spent a lifetime

full to the brim with

ttorney. We take a

best to protect thek up our advice.

ory.co.uk and the

apshot, we offer our

t a search monkey in

m securing a patent.

ere necessary. And

to protect the idea.

me that suits you, to

s.

and the cost for this

idea discovery pack v3

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