Monitoring patents the right way - from classic to ultra-modern

But there is only one really efficient one!

There are different ways of patent monitoring, which differ in their degree of automation and user-friendliness. The official way via the DPMAKurier is the oldest and most manual way to monitor patents. Here, users must regularly check for updates themselves and manually search documents. Outdated desktop solutions offer more automation, but are often expensive and require regular updates. In contrast, modern cloud-based software solutions like PATOffice offer a fast and effective way to monitor patents and receive updates automatically.

In this blog article, we'll take a closer look at these three ways to monitor patents and discuss pros, cons, and uses for each option.

The three approaches to monitoring patent (applications) - and how you can be as efficient as possible

🚶🏼 DPMAKurier - The classic patent monitoring system

The DPMAKurier is a free e-mail notification service of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA). It informs registered users about publications of patent applications, patent grants and trade mark registrations. It is possible to register for different subject areas and time intervals in order to receive only relevant information. The notifications usually contain bibliographic data of the document as well as a link to the corresponding entry in the DPMA register. However, the user must become active himself and search the information manually to check the content of the patent or trademark and take action if necessary.

Advantages:

• free-of-charge
• quick and easy
• Registration for specific subjects and time intervals
• Official service -> reliable and up to date

Disadvantages:

• Manual process -> users must search supplied information themselves
• No automation or functions for processing large volumes of data
• Limited to the German market

🛵 Desktop variants for patent monitoring

Desktop variants for patent monitoring are special software solutions that are installed on the user's desktop. These solutions usually offer more automation than the DPMAKurier, as they are able to automatically check for updates and extract data from large databases. One such solution is Eidologic's patent monitoring system. The solution allows users to monitor patents and trademarks worldwide and automatically receive notifications of relevant events. The system uses a variety of data sources, including official registers and patent databases, to ensure that users are always aware of the latest developments regarding their patents and trademarks. Another advantage of desktop solutions is that they can operate independently of the availability of an Internet connection, which can be beneficial in some cases.

Advantages:

• Automated functions
  Can process large amounts of data
  Worldwide search for patents and trademarks
  Can also be used offline
  High data security, as data is stored on the user's local computer

Disadvantages:

• One-time or regular payment for use
• There may be security risks during installation, e.g., possible viruses or malware infections.
• Desktop solutions often less user-friendly than cloud-based solutions, as they require more knowledge of operation

🚀 Cloud-based software-as-a-service for patent monitoring

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions offer companies a modern and effective method of patent monitoring. These cloud-based solutions provide quick and easy access to a wide range of patent databases and offer comprehensive patent application and grant monitoring capabilities. Companies can benefit from automatic notifications of new entries and amendments to more effectively protect their patents and quickly identify potential infringements. In addition, SaaS solutions offer the advantage of scalability, allowing companies to easily and quickly adapt their monitoring capabilities to their needs. Although there are potential drawbacks, such as higher costs or dependence on a reliable Internet connection, SaaS solutions are a modern and innovative method of patent monitoring that can help companies manage and protect their patents more effectively.

Advantages:

• Quick and easy access to a wide range of patent databases
• Effective monitoring
• Automatic notifications of entries and changes
• Scalability
• No additional hardware required
  

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost compared to manual or desktop methods
• Need for a reliable Internet connection
• Security concerns regarding data stored in the cloud
  

Overall, there are various ways to effectively monitor patents. While manual methods such as the DPMAKurier and desktop solutions were widely used in the past, software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions such as PATOffice offer a modern and effective method for patent monitoring. With quick and easy access to a variety of patent databases and the ability to receive automatic notifications of new entries and changes, companies can more effectively protect their patents and quickly identify potential infringements. Although there are potential drawbacks, such as higher costs or dependence on a reliable internet connection, SaaS solutions are a modern and innovative method of patent monitoring that can help companies manage and protect their patents more effectively.