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.

What Makes Synoptic IP Different

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.

LinkedIn review

★★★★★

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 · ITWPublic & verified

LinkedIn review

★★★★★

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.