How are patent applications checked for novelty?
To assess whether an invention is new and involves an inventive step – and therefore may be patentable in Europe (if it is not otherwise excluded – see Q5 above) – the normal process is to conduct searches of relevant technical literature and other publications. The patent collections of the world s Patent Offices are a good starting point for any searches, because they are carefully classified according to the technical subject-matter. In addition, technical literature which is held on the Internet or on databases on which “key word” searches can be performed can also be included in searches. (See Q8 below, and our Search page for links to various web-sites where keyword and other useful searches can be carried out). Some other technical literature is well indexed, and these indexes can be inspected relatively easily. After consulting indexed material, and if a prior disclosure of the same or similar invention is not revealed, it would be possible, although time-consuming, to review c
