1. In the beginning

　At AztecPatent search serviceWe provide various inquiries and requests every day.Of course, we respond to any request so that we can make a certain report, but on the other hand, it is also a fact that the search quality is affected by the method of request.
　So, this time, I would like to touch on the points for making more effective search requests.It does not mean that you will not be able to investigate without these, but please remember when you want to find "+ α".

XNUMX. XNUMX.Prepare search materials early

　The sooner you share the organized information (search materials) about the search contents, the better.I think that it is convenient to prepare materials in various ways, but on the day of the hearing, rather than seeing the person in charge of the research company for the first time on the spot, the person in charge should read it before the hearing and consider and do a preliminary search. I would like to have as much grace as possible.

　This has the advantage that the research company can have a deeper discussion during the hearing and improve the quality of the hearing.On the other hand, for the requester as well, the information is organized in the process of creating the material, so if any deficiencies in the information (examination items, confirmation items) are found early, there is an advantage that the discussion can be taken one step before the hearing. there is.

XNUMX. XNUMX.Clarify the concept

　When the hearing begins, I sometimes see cases where one search is expected to have several effects, saying "I want to do that, I want to do this too."It is one of the constructive processes to come up with ideas and to modify the policy flexibly, but it will not be possible to manage the search and it will lead to inefficient search, so calm down once. It is also necessary to organize the information and reconfirm the original purpose. (Fold the unfolded furoshiki. Tie the knot tightly so that the shaft does not shake).

　In fact, in cases where multiple departments on the requesting side were involved in one search request, there were cases where the requirements differed for each department.Even in such a case, it is possible to take measures such as adding specifications or taking compromises, but it is easy to cause confusion in the search stage and the search results may deviate from the original aim, so proceed with caution (preferably specify the required specifications) keep it simple).

XNUMX.Research companies can contact the client directly

　There are two main patterns of search requesters (although this is limited to our business partners), and one is the case where the person in charge of intellectual property sets the search theme and becomes the direct requester. The other is a case where a person in charge other than intellectual property, such as the technical department, is the request source, and the person in charge of intellectual property is in charge of supporting the request or contacting the research company.

　Especially in the latter case, it may not be possible to directly communicate with the research company and the requester due to various reasons.There is a problem that it is difficult to convey detailed nuances if you can not hear directly, but there is also a merit on the requesting side to dare to put people in between.Therefore, it is not possible to easily discuss good or bad, but from the perspective of the investigator, it is best to be in direct contact with the requester.This is because if we can communicate directly, we can suppress information discrepancies, facilitate essential discussions, and have the great advantage of getting closer to the ideal output.

XNUMX.Technology areas similar to continuous trading

　Long-term business relationships are valuable to any job, but they mean more to searchers.Each searcher has his or her specialty or specialty, but it does not always match the technical domain of the research theme received as a request.However, the searcher will deepen the knowledge of the requested area through a series of processes such as hearing with the requester, collecting related information, and peer reviewing the gazette.The more requests you have, the more opportunities you have, but the more you focus on the same (or similar) areas within a certain period of time, the more effective it will be.

　As far as I can tell, it seems that the fact that "only one research company is using" is a minority and there are multiple contractors.If so, it seems that there is room for ingenuity, such as deciding and allocating the basic area of ​​responsibility for each research company to be outsourced, or rotating the area of ​​responsibility for a certain period of time.In fact, there are cases where the themes to be requested to research companies are intentionally sorted and assigned, but the color of each company appears in the sorting method.

XNUMX.Avoid phase estimates

　Do you go to a restaurant, serve food for the time being, taste it, and pay only for the food you like?You will probably either be beaten up or the police will be called.This is a characteristic of "services", because the value of "services" is generated on the spot and consumed at the same time.If this is a "thing", it is different, and even if you request a sample and a quotation and make a phase quotation just because you want 0 metal fittings, you will not be blamed.

　Patent search is also a type of service.Therefore, from the conclusion, it is better for both the consignment side and the consignment side to think in total if you do not make a phase estimate except for a part.To be precise, in the patent search service, there are disadvantages to both sides by making a phase estimate.

　This is because search proposals are made to order according to the situation of each case and each customer.At least at Aztec, we believe that patent searches can only be done with the cooperation of both parties.However, it is not possible to spend too much on phase estimation from the beginning, so hearings tend to be inadequate.If the necessary consideration cannot be exhausted in this way, the search proposal of the phase estimate is equivalent to closing the eyes and throwing the ball, and whether or not it is in line with the opponent's intention is a gambling.In addition, the priority is likely to be lowered, and since the searcher is also a human being, there is a possibility that the original power cannot be demonstrated for projects with a risk of loss of orders.

　On the contrary, if this is a "project that is not a phase estimate", the cost for the proposal will be sufficiently high, it will not be a gambling proposal, the priority will not be lowered, and the searcher in charge will not worry about 100%. You can exert your power.

　There is also a problem with costs.It depends on the industry, but if the phase estimation is a common sense industry, the cost when it is not adopted in the phase estimation will be added to the adopted project.In other words, because individual companies are working to reduce costs, the industry as a whole is trying to increase costs (or will the profits of the trustees be cut and the industry of the trustees will be exhausted).This is a typical prisoner's dilemma.

　Some may say that you cannot know the proper price without making a phase estimate.Regarding that point, if you are dealing with multiple research companies, you can see the appropriate price even if it is a separate project.If you feel that the search cost is out of the reasonable price, please feel free to contact us.

　Of course, we can understand the reason and circumstances for making a phase estimate, so we also accept a phase estimate.However, if you can sympathize with the point of "aiming for a better search," why not reconsider the meaning of the phase estimation.

Sales Department Ogura