A bibliographic search includes several different searches conducted in various databases based on basic patent data. For example, a name search, a status search, and a family search. Such searches are generally conducted in the exploratory phase, and they provide a wealth of information.
Name search
This search provides insight into the legal patent activities of a competitor applicant or inventor.
Status search
A status search indicates the status of a patent or patent application in a certain country. V.O. has a global network to perform this service.
Family search
A patent family search is conducted when it is unknown whether there are related (equivalent) patent applications and/or granted patents in other countries.
