XNUMX. XNUMX.Introduction

　At Aztec, patent searches account for most of the requests, but we also conduct various searches using various approaches other than patent searches using a dedicated DB.This time, we will briefly introduce the tips of the search we are actually conducting regarding the search using the National Diet Library, which is one of the approaches.

XNUMX.Purpose of the search at the National Diet Library

　When you want to investigate the prerequisite technology, physical properties, and information that are rarely described in patent gazettes, manufacturing methods, manufacturing equipment, etc. that should be accumulated as know-how rather than published as patents. You can use it.
　And the provisions regarding the novelty of the invention (Article 29 of the Patent LawIn paragraph 1)

Article XNUMX A person who has made an invention that can be used industrially may obtain a patent for that invention, except for the following inventions.
(abridgement)
(Iii) Inventions described in distributed publications or inventions made available to the public through telecommunication lines in Japan or abroad before filing a patent application.

Article 29 of the Patent LawItem 1

Since this [distributed publication] also includes magazines and books, you can use the materials in the library as invalidation materials or preceding materials.
　In addition, the technical level of the general public in a specific era can be read from the degree of technical content of the material and used to judge the dawn and maturity of the specific technology, and the amount of materials related to the specific technology in the specific era can be used to determine the specific era. It can be used to judge the degree of penetration of a specific technology into the general public.

XNUMX. XNUMX.What is the National Diet Library?

　The National Diet Library has a [Main Building] and [New Building] about a 10-minute walk from Nagatacho Station in Tokyo, a [Kansai Building] in the Kansai Cultural Studies City, and an [International Children's Library] in Ueno, Tokyo. It is a legal deposit library that collects and preserves publications published in Japan based on.
　It is a pity that it cannot be said that "all publications that exist in Japan exist" because the publisher may not have the legal deposit, but it boasts the largest collection of books in Japan.We do not lend out the collection of books, but you can make a copy in the library, so you can get a part of the collection as a copy. (In principle, only "a part of the work" can be copied.)
　Unlike a general library where books are lined up on a bookshelf and you search for and read them yourself, the National Diet Library searches for materials from the terminal installed in the library and applies for use, and it takes about 20 minutes to reach the designated counter. This is a system where the materials you applied for are prepared and can be viewed.You can request up to 3 books and 10 magazines at a time.
　In addition, [NDL ONLINE], which searches for materials, can be used from any environment where the Internet can be used (books, etc. cannot be applied from other than the terminal used in the National Diet Library).

XNUMX.Tips for research at the National Diet Library

　Unlike general libraries, it takes time to browse the National Diet Library, so a little trick is needed when researching a lot of materials.Here are some tips for efficient research.

• Before going to the National Diet Library, use [NDL ONLINE] to create a list of materials you want to view in this search.By doing so, it is possible to grasp where and how much material should be actually investigated, calculate the required time and personnel in advance, and conduct a lean search.
• Make sure in advance whether the material you are looking for is in the facility you are looking for and whether it is available for viewing, and avoid being unable to view it after going to the library.
• The search will be conducted separately by multiple people.Since it takes time to read a book after applying for a loan, if multiple people read the maximum number of 1 points (3 points for magazines) that one person can borrow, and another person applies for a loan in the meantime. You can reduce the time loss.Also, if you have to go alone, after borrowing 10 points, the book you have finished browsing will be returned immediately and you will apply for a new book rental.And by the time a new book is lent out, you can reduce time loss by browsing the remaining books you borrowed first.
• It is also important to include libraries other than the National Diet Library as options when conducting searchs.This is because university libraries and special libraries may be superior to the National Diet Library when it comes to materials and catalogs in specialized fields and publications published outside Japan.

XNUMX.Summary

　This article introduced the search at the National Diet Library.By learning various approaches and means for conducting searchs, I think that you will be able to accurately grasp the needs of clients and propose the most suitable search.I would like to acquire flexible responsiveness and increase the number of searchs that can be drawn out without being bound by stereotypes.

Research Division Akiba

Reference URL:
National Diet Library　https://www.ndl.go.jp/
NDL ONLINE (National Diet Library Online)　https://ndlonline.ndl.go.jp/