For creators and artists securing industrial design registry can be a daunting journey filled with obstacles and challenges. However, many problems can be avoided if they properly went through the first step, which is design searching. An incompetent searching process can lead to many unwanted consequences, such as applying for a design that is too similar to one that has already been registered by another party. Learning what a design search is and how to properly conduct it is essential to avoid such incidents.
Industrial Design Search: 7 Strategies
Industrial design research thoroughly examines existing patents to ensure that a particular design has not already been registered. Ideally, it is conducted by a professional Trademark Service of a Law Firm.
It involves a meticulous investigation into databases, online platforms, and various sources to identify any prior art that might be similar or identical to the design. Here are several common industrial design search strategies that creators or artists may conduct:
1. Product Reviews Websites
When initiating patent research, product review websites are valuable starting points. These platforms provide information on products already launched or soon to hit the market.
Not only do they offer a plethora of designs for scrutiny, but they also present real-world insights through product reviews and firsthand pictures. Examples include PetaPixel and ISO.500px, each catering to specific niches.
2. Product Prototype Search (Crowdfunding Sites)
Crowdfunding platforms, including Kickstarter and Indiegogo, are repositories of innovative designs that might not reach mainstream commercial platforms.
Exploring these sites allows inventors to discover prototypes and concepts that have yet to materialize fully. This strategy provides a forward-looking perspective, anticipating designs that could challenge applications.
3. Product Designs on Social Media
Social media platforms like Pinterest, YouTube, and Tumblr provide many sources for unearthing conceptualized designs.
Every product on the market starts as a concept, often embodied in sketches or drawings. Exploring these platforms can reveal early-stage designs that, while not realized as products, may be important to note while you’re formulating your design application.
4. Manufacturer’s Samples
Many companies assemble their products using components sourced from various suppliers. Delving into manufacturer or vendor sites can unveil these individual components, offering insights into the building blocks of different designs.
This strategy provides a nuanced understanding of the elements constituting a design, aiding inventors in assessing their own creations.
5. E-commerce Platforms
Do you know that online shopping portals like Alibaba, Amazon, and Myntra offer comprehensive searches for various designs?
These platforms allow for comparing technical details, exploring different design versions, and a general understanding of state-of-the-art designs.
A thorough search across e-commerce websites helps inventors determine the uniqueness of their designs within the market landscape.
6. Region-specific or Geography-based Search
Expanding the search to non-native locations where innovative ideas are registered can uncover designs not accessible through traditional searches.
Breaking language barriers with modern technology enables inventors to explore various designs worldwide. For instance, countries like China, Korea, and Japan often have unique designs that are not available on USPTO or European databases.
7. Google Lens
Google Lens is a visual search engine that employs deep machine learning to recognize objects and provide relevant information.
Inventors can use Google Lens to search for specific design details by capturing images or screenshots. This tool enhances the efficiency of design searches by utilizing visual recognition technology.
For comprehensive assistance in designing patent searches and other types of intellectual property protection, consider Am Badar’s Industrial Design Service. Check all available services on these pages: insight, service, and contact us.
References
- https://www.upcounsel.com/design-patent-search
- https://www.copperpodip.com/post/design-patent-search-strategies
- https://patentskart.com/design-search/
Reviewed by Nabil Argya Yusuf
