PARTS LLC conducts extensive patent searches for corporations, government research organizations, law firms, universities and individuals in the following technologies: biotechnology, chemical, medical, electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, telecommunications, semi-conductors, computer hardware, and some computer software.

Our search team brings extensive knowledge, experience and analytical capability to find the best prior art available. These three key attributes of our search team helps to expedite patent prosecution and reduce patent cost. Most of our searchers have technical degrees and/or backgrounds with many years of experience in patent searching. Our searchers use primarily patent search databases, such as EAST and WEST at the U.S. Patent Office, and DELPHION to perform both keywords and manual searching. Also, other search databases are used. Many of our searchers are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent Office and some are former Patent Law Examiners.

Searches are requested frequently to be expedited and will be treated with a special status. Our team of experts on a daily basis conducts the following searches.

Patentability Search: Upon the receipt of a brief written invention disclosure, the searchers will conduct an extensive prior art search, such as patents and publications, at the U.S. Patent Office. This search includes the review of all issued patents, expired and unexpired, their claim(s), drawing(s), abstracts, and specifications. Then a written analysis is done with a brief synopsis on each prior art patent and/or publication in view of the invention disclosure with a recommendation as to whether we feel that there is any novelty.

Infringement Search: Once a hypothetical claim is provided, the searchers will analyze and review the claims of unexpired or in-force patents within the subject or technology area. Upon completion of the analysis and review, the searcher can provide the necessary recommendations to the client on infringement avoidance of unexpired or in-force patents.

State of the Art Search: Upon the receipt of a product or method description, the searchers will conduct an extensive patent and publication search at the U.S. Patent Office. All issued patents, expired or unexpired are analyzed. This search results in numerous patents and published applications being reviewed and cited. This analysis is not as detailed or extensive as the search used in determining patentability or infringement.

Validity Search: This search is based on a specific U.S. Patent Number and a specific claim or claims that you want to invalidate. The searcher will conduct an extensive search by analyzing all patents, publications and/or other printed material before the filing date of the U.S. Patent Number in question. This validity analysis can be used as defensive mechanism against infringement, support for selecting minimum royalty payments in licensing negotiations and for patent valuations.

Freedom to Operate Search: In order to perform this search, a hypothetical claim is provided. The searcher will analyze the claims of all unexpired or in-force patents. This analysis will enable the attorney and/or inventor to know which claimed technologies are presently in the public domain and are free to use. Note that the patent claims are the main focus in this type of search, not necessarily the disclosure.