Introduction Patent documents and their accessibility
Patent information is a powerful source of technical, legal and strategic insight. This module provides a structured introduction to the world of intellectual property, with a strong focus on patents and their role in innovation.
Participants gain a clear understanding of the fundamentals of IP — including patents, trademarks, copyright and trade secrets — and learn how patents are structured, examined and enforced. The course also covers essential topics such as novelty, inventive step, patent families, classifications (IPC/CPC), supranational systems (PCT, EPO, Unitary Patent), and different types of patent searches including prior art and freedom-to-operate analyses.
With practical examples and hands-on insights into major patent databases, this module equips professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively navigate and use patent information in a strategic and responsible way.
Target Audience
This module is intended for patent information specialists with one year or less of experience in conducting novelty or patentability searches. It is specifically tailored for individuals who have recently started working in the field of patent information.
Course Content
This BPIC module covers the following topics:
Background Information
- IP
- Copyright
- Trademarks
- Trade Secrets
Patents
- History and Basics
- Structure of a Patent
- Priority
- Patent Life / Prosecution
- Patent Families
- Patent Classifications
Supranational Organizations
Prior Art Searching
Specifics on some databases
Where to find information on Patent Information?
- EPO
- USPTO
- WIPO
- Asia
Why bother? Some RL examples
Study Load
Module 1,2 and 3 are concluded with a written exam (2.5 hrs)