Searches and Surveys

Searches and Surveys

We conduct various patent, utility model, trademark, design right and domain name related searches and surveys, customised according to your needs. A few general examples of the searches and surveys are listed below. Copies of relevant documents will be delivered to you, with a translation if necessary.

We use various patent and other databases in our searches. Our experienced attorneys can effectively choose the right search terms and can also give an opinion on search results.

Novelty search and opinion on patentability

We search different databases to evaluate whether your invention is new in relation to the state of the art, and give a preliminary opinion as to whether a patent or a utility model may be obtained for the invention. When needed, we may arrange for the Finnish Patent Office to conduct a search or we may review the Finnish Patent Office's paper documents ourselves.

Similarity search

Before filing a trademark application, we find out the distinctiveness of the mark for the chosen goods and services, and possible obstacles to the registration.

Monitoring

Using various patent offices' databases, we monitor the status of your competitors’ patent, trademark and design applications until the end of the opposition period.

We regularly monitor the protection activity in selected technical fields by conducting searches on competitors’ names or within the appropriate patent, trademark or design classes.

Prior art search

Searching different patent and other related databases, we map the solutions developed in a given technical field. For example, before initiating monitoring, a prior art search provides an overall view of the starting point and may make it easier to target the monitoring appropriately.

Legal status search

Searching various patent offices' databases, we find out the legal status of an individual patent, trademark, utility model, design registration or an application relating to them in Finland or abroad. When needed, we can find out the status of the members of an entire patent family.

For example, we can find out whether protection has been kept in force by paying the relevant fees, or we can find out the form of the patent claims in force. If reliable information is not available otherwise, we may request our local associates to check the status from the national patent office in question.

Scope of protection survey

We evaluate the scope of protection and the strength of a patent or a utility model. When needed, we can give an opinion as to whether a product or a method infringes a patent or a utility model.

Freedom to operate survey

We find out, searching various databases, whether a product under development or an already developed product infringes a patent or a utility model that is in force.