Competitive Inteligence 2.0: Organization, Innovation and Territory

Chapter 8

Patent Information 2.0, Technology Transfer, and Resource Development ¹

8.1. Introduction

Patents are unique sources of information, since the results published in patents are rarely replicated in other publications. Another peculiarity of patent databases (e.g. World patent database (accessible via the EPO) and American patent database (accessible via the server of the U.S. Patent Office USPO)) is that they are free of cost. This is important to consider in the context of developing countries, even SMIs or SMEs, where financial constraints are increasingly important. Patent information and innovation [AUB 04]¹ are almost directly related, since patents highlight existing products and applications in a given domain.

It is also important to note that analytical work (APA Automatic Patent Analysis) cannot be done manually over large volumes. To process and download patents from the “mother” database to a remote computer, we can use an interface (MatheoPatent) which enables performing analytical processing of patents, downloading and updating local patent databases, etc. The subscription fee for this interface is affordable by developing countries, as well as by SMIs and SMEs, and even individuals. It is also important to note that a quality Internet connection is required for this.

8.2. Methodology

Based on a theme related to the natural resources of a country, for example, coconuts (patents are to be queried in English), we downloaded a set of patents ranging from a ...