IPCC prior art search service
Prior art search service by a registered search organization
The IPCC conducts prior art searches as a registered search organization in order to make the IPCC’s search service available to the general public.
This service is designed for patent applications prior to request of examination. The users can receive a discount on the examination request fee.
Any applicant who is considering requesting examination would benefit from this service because it is offered by the IPCC, which conducts prior art searches as a part of the patent examination process.
Outline of the service
| Types of applications that can be subjected to a prior art search |
This service can be used for any post-filing application for which a request for examination has not been filed yet (including a pre-publication application) except for the following applications. (1) International patent application (2) Patent application whose remaining examination request period is shorter than three months. All of the claims in the application will be searched in this service. |
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| Searchable fields |
A search can be conducted on applications related to any technical fields excluding the following. (1) Fields related to genetic engineering, (2) Fields that require searches of chemical structural formulas. |
| Search tool | Searches are conducted by using the patent document search system used by JPO examiners. |
| Documents to be searched | Domestic Patent/Utility Model Gazette * Upon payment of an option fee, overseas documents such as international publications and publications of the USPTO and the EPO, etc. are searched as well. |
| Delivery | Search results will be delivered within four to eight weeks after the receipt of a request. * Extra time might be necessary if too many search requests are pending in the relevant technical field. |
| Search fee (excluding tax) |
Basic fee: 95,000 yen A fee will be calculated taking various factors into consideration such as the level of difficulty of the relevant technical field and the number of claims. |
| Delivered materials |
After the completion of the search, the following materials and documents will be delivered or returned by post. Delivered materials Returned documents |
| Contents of search reports |
Search reports consist of the following sections. (1) Overall comment |
Transaction details
