Matching the right people to your IP research project
4 mins
Not all searches are created equal. Each has its own business goals, technical goals or legal goals, and an associated risk profile. So, it follows that some researchers will be more suited to your specific needs and interests than others. In this article, we will discuss the importance of allocating the right people to your IP research project.
If you have an internal or in-house search team, they cannot be expert in all search types for all industry sectors, and will hit capacity in busy times. Leaning on a third-party resource can provide the extra brain power you need when you wish to leave no stone unturned seeking that essential matter. A good third-party research service can be like an extra member of your team there when you need it. Exploring these considerations with your search provider may help you to achieve better outcomes from your studies.
Diversity is key
A researcher’s education, specialism, location, life experience language and access to information are key to their compatibility with your project. Cultural factors can also influence how a researcher approaches problems. A diverse group of researchers can therefore yield more definitive results.
Smarter use of resources
When it comes to the size of your search team, you might think more is better, but it's important to consider the cost associated with this approach. As the size of the team increases, so, usually, does the budget.
There are, however, significant savings to be made with a crowdsourcing approach. With crowdsourcing, you can have dozens, even hundreds of researchers on a project, who are compensated according to a contest model. This provides a cost-effective solution that does not involve compromising on resource. Each researcher comes with their own perspectives, techniques and life experiences, which could be invaluable.
Knowledge over numbers in Freedom to Operate searches
Having a large research group at your disposal is an advantage, but when it comes to certain search types, particularly FTO, technical, product and market knowledge is far more important. In fact, having smaller teams on a particular study can improve consistency and approach, while still benefitting from peer review and discussion.
Flexibility and scalability can be a deciding factor in the success of your search. Here at RWS, we base our recommendations on what will produce the best results, as opposed to who is available at the time of the request.
Our research crowd
Our crowd of 40,000 researchers is located in over 170 countries. They have expertise in over 60 specialist areas, ranging from biochemistry to computer science. We go beyond typical patent search methods to scour all possible information sources, equipping you with the data you need to make informed business decisions.
Our crowd-based studies are continually attracting new researchers to the community to participate in various research projects. The result of this is we have a very diverse group of researchers with a wealth of experience from diverse industry backgrounds. Language allows them to uncover extremely obscure art.
Every crowd-based study is overseen by our search consultants. They bring hands-on experience, including previous roles as patent attorneys and examiners, to guide the Crowd towards achieving your desired goals.
To find out more about our range of IP research solutions, visit our website.