Indian Patent Search System
The Indian Patent Advanced Search System, InPASS, was introduced on 27.02.2015. Prior to InPASS, IPAIRS [Indian Patent Information Retrieval System] was used to conduct patent search in India. InPASS is an updated version of IPAIRS as it allows for a full-text search of all Indian patents and Patent Applications. Apart from this InPASS also allows a person to conduct a patent search using Wild Cards and Boolean Operators. Now, InPASS is the Indian patent office database used to conduct an advanced patent search in India.
Conducting a patent search is indispensable before filing a patent application. In our previous blog post, we have outlined the need for conducting a patent search. In this blog post, we provide a basic outline on how to use the Indian patent (advanced) search system to conduct patent searches, check the register details of patents granted, and also check the patent application status.
At the outset, it is important to explain the layout of InPASS. In the InPASS, four menu tabs are provided namely Patent Search, Patent E-register, Application Status and Help.
Patent Search in India
In the 'Patent Search' tab, there are two check boxes provided those allow you to search for either Granted patents or Published applications or both.
After choosing that you can search for patents or applications published based on any of the following search parameters:
| 1. Application date- You can choose a range of dates | 2. Title |
| 3. Abstract | 4. Claims |
| 5. Description | 6. Application Number |
| 7. Patent Number [For Granted Patent] | 8. Applicant Name |
| 9. Inventor Name | 10. Inventor Country |
| 11. Inventor Address | 12. Filing Office |
| 13. International Patent Classification (IPC) | 14. PCT Application
number [for national phase application] |
| 15. PCT Publication number | 16. Field of Invention |
| 17. Patent Assignee Country |
Keyword Search: First, you will have to collect the keywords relevant to your invention or patent. The keyword search can only be used in the search parameters – title, abstract, claims, and description. The patent search can be performed using the keywords along with 'Boolean Operators' and/or 'Wild Cards'. The search results will show in two columns. In the left column, the application number/patent number, title, application date and status will display. Based on the selection of a row in the left column, details [Bibliographic Data, Specification, and Status] of the patent application/granted patent will display in the right column. Further, you can view the details of Bibliographic data, patent specification, and application/patent status in the respective tab. However, there is a limitation to display the number of search records up to 1000 and 25 records per page.
Applicant Name Search: The Indian patent search database allows you to search for patent applications/patents by entering the name of the applicant against the relevant row. All you have to do is enter the Applicant's name and press search. The result will display the title of all inventions published or granted in the name that you entered.
Inventor Name Search: Similar to the applicant name search, you can also search the inventor name in the relevant row and the result display.
In addition to the above searches, you can perform various search queries to retrieve the results based on your requirements. You may also read the 'Help' provided on the tab to learn more about how to use Boolean operators and Wild cards. If you are familiar with USPTO patent search or WIPO patent search, you can easily conduct the patent search in India.
Patent E-register
The Indian patent search database allows you to the check the legal status of the granted patent. In the 'Patent E-register' tab, enter the patent number along the displayed code and click to Show E-register. The result will display the legal status of the patent, date next renewal date, and Bibliographic data of patent.
Application Status
Similar to patent grant search, the Indian patent search database allows you to check the status of the patent application. In the 'Application Status' tab, enter the application number along with the displayed code and click on 'Show Application Status'. The result will display the details of application such as application number, applicant number, date of filing, priority date, title of the invention, publication date and also application status. Besides, you will be able to view all the documents relevant to the patent application in the 'View Documents' tab provided at the bottom page of result.
Further, you may also interested to read why to conduct a patent search?
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
