KnowThis Tutorial: Marketing Method Patents
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Other Ways to Locate Business Method Patents
In most situations searching the USPTO will yield good results but certainly it is not foolproof. As discussed, a searcher may not be able to locate patent applications that were filed less than 18 months from the date of the search. To cover more ground here are a few other suggested search options: - Do an Internet search on one of the major search engines but limit the domain to be searched to your competitor’s website. Then enter the terms “patent” or “patent pending” to see what may appear. Sometimes this may result in evidence that the competitor has received a patent that you may have missed or they have filed for a patent but this patent application is not yet displayed.
- Expand the “patent pending” search to important industry terms and concepts.
- As mentioned, few countries permit business method patents at the same level as those offered in the United States. Many require a significant technical component be included in order for the method to be considered patentable. However, an investigation of international patents may yield clues regarding competitor’s interest in pursuing patents. International search can be complicated and for the uninitiated it is probably best left to a patent professional.
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Marketing Method Patents 