IIP Search Blogs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how businesses discover, evaluate, and adopt emerging technologies. In the past, technology scouting involved manually reviewing patents, research publications, startups, and news—often taking weeks or even months. Now, the AI compresses this timeline into days or even hours. AI enhances technology scouting by automating data analysis, identifying patterns, forecasting market movements, and delivering actionable insights. It empowers R&D, corporate strategy, and M&A teams with faster, data-backed decisions. Let’s explore how AI is redefining the technology scouting landscape, the specific benefits it brings, key tools in the market, and how enterprises are putting it into practice. What Is Technology Scouting? Technology scouting is the process of identifying and tracking emerging technologies that align with an organization’s strategic objectives. It connects companies with innovation opportunities—be it through par...

Chemical structure searching is a crucial part of patent research in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals, and materials science. Traditional keyword-based patent searches can miss subtle variations, isomers, or derivatives of a compound. In contrast, structure-based searches allow researchers to identify chemically relevant patents even when the compound names differ. In this guide, you'll learn how to search for patents using chemical structures, discover the best tools available, and follow a proven step-by-step method. We'll also cover best practices, common pitfalls, examples, and real-world use cases to help you master the process and avoid costly errors. Why Chemical Structure Search Matters in Patent Research Chemical structure searches enable the retrieval of patents that mention specific molecules, analogs, or derivatives—even when naming conventions differ. Many patents don't use IUPAC names consistently. Instead, they might: Use trivial nam...

An Evidence of Use (EOU) patent search is one of the most effective tools for asserting and monetizing intellectual property. Whether you're planning to license, enforce, or sell a patent, having concrete evidence that a third-party product or service is using your invention without authorization can significantly strengthen your position. In this blog post, we’ll explain what an EOU search is, when it’s needed, how it’s conducted, and why it plays a crucial role in the broader patent ecosystem. We’ll also share real-world examples, frequently asked questions, and guidance on choosing a reliable provider. Definition and Purpose of an Evidence of Use (EOU) Search An  Evidence of Use (EOU) search  identifies commercial products or services that are likely practicing the claims of a granted patent. It involves analyzing technical documentation, product fea...

In the fast-paced world of innovation, time and resources are limited. Whether you're an independent inventor or a startup founder, avoiding unnecessary risks is crucial. One of the smartest, most efficient steps you can take early in the invention lifecycle is a knockout patent search. This simple, rapid process helps identify existing patents that could block your idea—before you spend thousands on patent filings or product development. What is a Knockout Patent Search? A knockout patent search , sometimes called a preliminary patent search, is a quick method of checking whether an invention is likely to be patentable. It’s designed to uncover any obvious, high-risk prior art —existing patents or published applications—that closely match the core concept of your invention. Rather than searching exhaustively across global patent databases and non-patent literature, a knockout search focuses on speed and relevance . The goal is to determine whether there’s a clear obstacle to fil...