PATENT INFORMATION RETRIEVAL USING RELEVANT DATABASES

Abstract

The importance of search and access to patent information for innovation management and innovation projects is reflected, above all, in protective and informative role of patent system. Patent system provides source of competitive advantage based on exclusivity which is conferred by the patent. Patent information enables evaluation and assessment of innovative solutions generated outside enterprises, for the purpose of its transfer, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions. Furthermore, patent information constitute valuable source of technical information that can be used as source of ides in the process of technological innovation. Consequently, patent information have strategic importance for innovation management, and therefore it is necessary for an enterprise to perform patent search and patent analysis and enable successful integration of patent information management into existing organization. The illustration of patent searching procedure has been given on chosen example within the well-known patent database – Espacenet, which offers free access to huge number of patent documents worldwide.