Patent Research

This search seeks to determine if prior art exists that would prevent an idea or invention from being patented. Fishman & Associates, LLC searches for any pre-existing documents that a patent examiner would likely use to reject a patent application during examination. The search identifies relevant documents, including U.S. and foreign patents, published patent applications and non-patent literature.

This search is done using the Examiner Automated Search Tool (“EAST”) and other databases according to the guidelines specified by the USPTO’s search templates. Fishman & Associates also provides search logic and date of search queries to facilitate your filing needs.

This search is often conducted for the purpose of an infringement defense or to thoroughly inspect an active patent before assignment or license. This search determines the validity of a granted patent by identifying prior art documents or references that would invalidate the claims of the granted patents. Specifically, this search focuses on documents that predate the priority date of the patent in question.

This search compares a client’s product, method, or idea to non-expired U.S. patents and determines whether the client’s product, method, or idea infringes upon the claims of the non-expired U.S. patent(s). The search identifies relevant U.S. patents and published patent applications, and it can be expanded to include foreign patents and patent applications.

This search is similar to an infringement search, but it also identifies expired prior art documents.

This search is conducted on a broad, general inventive concept prior to its development. Based on the scope of the inventive concept, Fishman & Associates will identify a list of references ranging from U.S. patents to published patent applications, and it can be expanded to include foreign patents and non-patent publications.

This search identifies U.S. patents and published patent applications for the specific subject matter.

An analysis matrix contains a complete list of documents that can help you effectively utilize the massive amount of patent references need to write a pharmaceutical, infringement or right-to-use opinion. This matrix contains a representative claim, inventor name(s), date of issue or priority, and assignment for each reference. Additionally, the references can be sorted into numerical order according to the elements of your disclosure at your choosing. This service is highly recommended for all infringement and clearance searches.

A pharamaceutical analysis matrix is the same as above, however, Fishman & Associates makes a further determination of the references according to the different types of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (“API”), Formulation, and Therapeutic Uses. Additional sheets are provided within the matrix to characterize the references. This is an added value to our clients who will be writing opinions on pharmaceutical products.