System Prior-Art Search
It’s always good to have multiple strategies up your sleeve when working on tough invalidation cases. System prior art has gained a lot of popularity over the years and it can become your golden weapon to take down a patent in your next invalidation assignment.
Why We Prioritize It Over Other References?
A System Prior art is different than other non-patent literature as it speaks for its authenticity. Such a reference provides a proof that the claimed technology was in practice before the critical date.
With extensive searching in product catalogs, user manuals, news articles, trade show/exhibition websites, or on YouTube product review videos – the evidence to support the presence of required features can be identified.
If that doesn’t work – we can also do offline research, for example – in books, printed tech magazines, catalogues etc. And even can reach out to people with relevant experience – for example, manufactures, developers, who have seen the entire evolution of the products over the years and may have useful information on the required concept. In fact, people who may have now shifted their career in another domain can also be valuable sources of information, as their experience goes back much further than current tech players!