Patent searching

BSI Members may wish to access espacenet which provides FREE access to over 50 million patent documents from all over the world. This represents technical developments from 1836 to today.

Espacenet

You can use this comprehensive online search tool to effectively monitor emerging technical trends, track the latest innovations and gain valuable competitor intelligence.

The database contains more than 50 million global patent documents, most of which are patent applications, not granted patents. Patent applications are usually the first publication of a new idea, appearing before published journal articles or before a new product reaches the market.

Information available:

  • basic bibliographic information (title, inventor, application number etc)
  • detailed description of the invention
  • claims
  • drawings
  • sometimes a search report.


What is a patent?

A patent is a legal title which protects a technical invention for a limited period. The patent enables its owner to exclude others from exploiting the invention in the territory for which it has been granted.


Useful links

For a information on copyright, design and trade marks click here.

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