Patentability / novelty search
Description
Before committing time and resources to drafting and filing a patent, inventors and organizations must confirm that their innovation meets the core legal requirements of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. A patentability (or novelty) search is the first step in that process.
Patent examiners worldwide rely on prior art searches to decide whether an application is grantable. By performing a search in advance, applicants can assess whether their invention is likely to be patentable – and, if necessary, refine the claims or technical focus before submission. Patentability searches extend beyond keyword matching. They involve interpreting technical terminology, analyzing patent classifications, and reviewing related non-patent literature. For global organizations, multilingual searching is essential, as relevant prior art often exists in languages other than English.
Example use cases
- Pre-filing evaluation: Assess whether an invention qualifies for patent protection.
- Claim optimization: Refine the scope and wording of patent claims before filing.
- R&D planning: Avoid duplication of existing work and redirect innovation investment.
- Investor readiness: Provide evidence of novelty and competitive advantage.
- Strategic positioning: Identify opportunities for improvement or new patent filings.
Key benefits
RWS perspective
At RWS, we deliver patentability and novelty searches that combine cutting-edge technology with the precision of human expertise. Our IP researchers and analysts evaluate each invention against global patent and literature databases, uncovering relevant prior art and providing actionable insights.
Using a Human + Technology approach, RWS analysts integrate AI-powered semantic search, patent classification tools, and multilingual review to ensure every relevant document is identified and analyzed. This comprehensive methodology helps clients file stronger applications, reduce examination delays, and accelerate innovation pipelines – with confidence that their invention stands on solid legal and technical ground.