PATENT SEARCHES AS AN INSTRUMENT TO ENSURE SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS

Abstract

The article is devoted to topical issues of patent searches. The structure and advantages of patent information are considered. Domestic databases in the field of intellectual property are generalized and it is concluded that in Ukraine a powerful network of databases has been formed, which contains a significant array of accumulated patent information. However, intellectual property is a concept not of regional but of global significance, and therefore databases of other countries and international organizations are especially relevant and in demand for patent research. A review of databases of other countries and international organizations, namely the World Intellectual Property Organization, the European Patent Office, the US Patent Office, Australia, Japan, the Russian Federation, as well as Google’s patent search service are made. It is concluded that the world community has developed an effective mechanism for patent research, which ensures the thoroughness, comprehensiveness, relevance of the data in terms of countries, industries, individual patent offices, applicants, inventors. The purposes of patent researches are generalized to which the estimation of possibility of patenting of the developed technical decision is carried; assessment of the risks of violation of the rights of third parties and the likelihood of accusations; analysis of competitors’ activity; analysis of the current state of development of a particular industry; monitoring the applications of patent trolls in order to invalidate such patents. The types of patent searches on various databases are outlined, namely on the subject of relevance of the invention and ways to solve the technical problem; novelty of the invention; the validity of the patent; nominal patent search; search for non-infringement of the rights of third parties. Particular attention is paid to the problem of high activity in Ukraine of patent trolls – persons who patent foreign or well-known developments in their name in order to further abuse the rights, which is a deterrent to innovation and economic development. The conclusion about the role of patent information to ensure further scientific, technical and economic progress is substantiated.