Biomedical Engineering Research Program
A Word About Searching Patents
Searching the patent literature is a a crucial step for any inventor, but it is challenging. Using online guides and the assistance of a knowledgable patent searcher can be helpful. For the most fulsome search and/or legal counsel, please consult a patent agent or patent/intellectual property attorney to ensure you understand the innovation landscape and filing procedures.
What's a Patent?
It is an intellectual property right
- Types of Patents:
- Utility
- This covers processes, machines, manufacturing, material composition, chemical compositions etc
- Plant
- For new and distinctive plants that can be asexually reproduced (via grafting or cutting)
- Cannot be a tuber propagated plant, nor can the plant be found in an uncultivated state
- Design
- surface ornamentation
- a design added to an object (must be inseparable)
- Patent only protects object's appearance
- surface ornamentation
- Utility
- An invention must be:
- Novel
- unknown by others (domestic)
- described in a printed publication (international)
- Useful
- It must operate to perform a described and intended use; utility
- Inventive
- It must be distinct and different from anything used or described before
- Cannot be obvious to someone who is skilled in the invention discipline
- Novel
Terminology
Assignee: The individual or company that holds rights to the patent.
Prior Art: All relevant information that is related to a patent
Select Places to Find Patents
Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) - It is the special operating agency of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to deliver intellectual property services.
European Patent Office - It is the patent office for Europe (over 44 countries)
Google Patents - global repository of full text patents
LENS.org - Project by Cambia and Queensland University of Technology to improve the efficiency, ease and transparency of the innovation landscape
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) - It is the federal granting agency for trademarks and patents
Example
