Non-Patent Literature Search
Our Non-Patent Literature search finds the published material that matters at any stage of the product lifecycle.
Non-patent literature (NPL) covers work published in scientific journal databases, digital documents, theses, product documentation, and public disclosures made on websites, social media, datasheets and magazines. A thorough assessment of that existing art saves you time, improves the quality of your patents, and makes them more useful to more people.
Why Search Non-Patent Literature?
Trace what an innovation is built on
To identify the papers, dissertations and cited literature an innovation rests on.
Track competitor strategy and market moves
To check competitive business strategies, product launches, sales, mergers, consumer behaviour and application areas.
See disclosures before patents publish
Non-patent information is accessible before a patent or application publishes — which can take around 18 months — so an applicant gets an earlier read on the art.
Support opposition and litigation
When a patent is being opposed or litigated, non-patent literature can supply art that patent databases alone will not.
Infringement and licensing
NPL searching plays a significant role in infringement and licensing work, where the task is to identify products that correspond to a patent.
Cover what patents miss
Searches covering literature and goods not usually captured by patents are valuable before a business decision, or before a search in a specific area.
Combine with other search types
NPL searching integrates with many patent searches, including landscape searches, patentability searches and due diligence.
Who It Is For
- Organisations engaged in R&D.
- Universities and research institutes, including technology transfer offices.
- Inventors and researchers.
- Plaintiffs and defendants in infringement matters.
- Non-Practising Entities (NPEs).
- Organisations looking to sell, license or share their intellectual property.
What Makes Synoptic IP Different
Beyond the range of databases we use to identify NPL:
- Searching across more than ten languages.
- A high level of technical expertise — academics, industry scientists and lawyers — contributing their perspective on the technology and the search.
- Quick turnaround on your request.
- Collaboration with well-known institutions to understand reverse engineering of goods and technology.
Words From Our Clients
Verified LinkedIn reviews and client correspondence from patent attorneys and in-house IP teams who come back to us project after project.
I used Synoptic for a validity search and was pleased with the results. The rates were highly competitive, the deliverable was on time, and the results were as good as (if not better than) other searches I’ve used.
Erin J. FoxIntellectual Property Counsel · ITW
Ankit did a very thorough and professional job on a claim chart assignment for us. He showed great perseverance when things got difficult and was able to get the job done. I would work with him again.
Eric BrownUS Patent Agent
Thank you — the search was quite helpful. We’ll have your invoice processed promptly.
Thank you for your work on this matter. We were pleased with the search and will consider you for future searches.
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Get Quotes Now!Non-Patent Literature Search
Synoptic IP’s Non-Patent Search finds published data that is essential at any stage of the product lifecycle. Non-patent literature (NPL) includes works that have been published in scientific journal databases, digital documents, thesis, product documents, and public disclosures made on websites like social media, datasheets, magazines, etc. Synoptic IP can give you a thorough assessment of the existing prior art, which will save your time, improve the quality of your patents, and make them more useful to more people.
Why Should You Search Non-Patent Literature?
- To determine the papers, dissertations, and cited literature that an innovation is based on
- To check competitive business strategies, product launches, sales, mergers, consumer behaviour, and application areas.
- An applicant should do a non-patent literature search because non-patent information is accessible before a patent or application is published. (which can take around 18 months).
- When a patent is being opposed or litigated, searches of non-patent literature may be helpful.
- Non-patent literature search can play a significant role in infringement/licensing that involves identifying products that correspond to a patent.
- Non-patent literature searches involving literature and goods that aren't usually covered by patents can be very helpful before making a business decision or a search in a specific area.
- Non-patent literature searches can be integrated with many patent searches, including Landscape Search, Patentability Search, Due Diligence, etc.
For whom is it useful?
- Organizations that are engaged in R&D
- Universities and Research Institutes (Technology Transfer Offices)
- Inventors and researchers
- Plaintiffs and defendants in situations of infringement
- Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs)
- Those organisations interested in selling, licensing, or sharing their intellectual property
What Makes Synoptic IP Unique?
Other than the various databases we utilise to identify NPL:
- Using more than ten different languages to search
- High level of technical expertise (academics, business scientists, lawyers, etc.) who share their perspectives on the technology/search
- Quick assistance with your request
- Collaboration with renowned institutions to comprehend reverse engineering of goods and technology
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