Patent watch and monitoring refers to the systematic and continuous tracking of newly published patent applications, granted patents, and other intellectual property activities within specific technological domains, industries, or concerning particular entities. The patent watch and monitoring search is a continuous process that provides timely insights into the evolving intellectual property landscape. Unlike a one-time search, patent watch establishes an “early warning system” for businesses and innovators.
Some of the key aspects of patent watch and monitoring search comprise:
- Continuous tracking: It involves regular checks of patent databases and official gazettes to identify new publications that match predefined search criteria.
- Defined scope: The patent watch and monitoring is typically highly focused, targeting specific technologies, keywords, patent classifications, inventors, companies (assignees), or geographical regions.
- Identification of relevant IP: The primary goal is to identify intellectual property that is of interest, whether it’s a potential infringement, a new technological development by an entity, or an opportunity for licensing.
- Strategizing IP Portfolio: Helps in making informed decisions about maintaining/upgrading patents in IP portfolio.
How is Patent Watch and Monitoring different from Patent Landscape Search?
While both “patent watch and monitoring” and “patent landscape” searches involve analyzing patent data, their scope, purpose, and timing differ significantly:
- Patent Landscape Search:
- Scope: Broad and comprehensive. It aims to map out the entire patenting activity within a particular technology field or industry at a specific point in time.
- Patent Watch and Monitoring Search:
- Scope: Focused and targeted. It monitors new patent publications and activities related to specific technologies, competitors, or patent families on regular basis.
In essence, a patent landscape search provides the initial map of the territory, while patent watch and monitoring search acts as a radar system, constantly scanning for new movements and changes within that mapped territory.