Presenter: Nigel Clarke

Abstract:
An individual patent is not simply an individual document. The publication is only one of the tangible features of a patent. There are intangible ones too. Patents have a number of characteristics, they are indeed documents, they form family groups, they are cited, they have citations. They are a legal construct.  They have a life, they have a lifetime. Their lives can be peaceful or turbulent as, over time, they experience filing, search, examination, grant, opposition, appeal, revocation, and other more obscure events depending on jurisdiction. Some patents may have greater technical or legal or commercial effects than others.

Patents can be thought of as a package of documents, relationships, events, scope status and impact.
Using illustrative case studies, this workshop will show how you can use the EPO’s free-to-use online products (Espacenet, CPC browser, European Patent Register and extensions such as Deep linking, Common Citation Document), in a concerted way to build up a multi-dimensional view of the patent package. This view can give you the basis for definitive action. You will also learn how to keep on top of your selected patents, as the package evolves.