Patent search strategies in plant biotechnology

This protocol provides basic guidelines for performing a patent search through illustration with a specific biotechnology subject. It is directed in particular to beginners who wish to broaden their knowledge by using patents as a source of information. The instructions given show how to search for patents claiming the use of ZFN (Zinc Finger Nucleases) in plants, a recently developed gene targeting technique with wide potential in plant breeding. The guidelines focus in particular on the use of two online available patent databases: esp@cenet, from the European Patent Office, and PatentScope, from the World Intellectual Property Organization. Several exercises are shown as examples to follow in searches, in particular the use of keywords and patent codes. We believe that the strategies proposed in this protocol are very useful for any type of search, but each searcher can choose a method she or he feels more comfortable with.

PARISI Claudia;  RODRIGUEZ CEREZO Emilio;  THANGARAJ Harry; 

2014-01-03

Nature Publishing Group

JRC71741

2043-0116,   

http://www.nature.com/protocolexchange/protocols/2402,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC71741,   

10.1038/protex.2012.021,