RECEIVE IN-DEPTH SEARCH RESULTS IN RESPECT OF THE VALIDITY OF A PATENT IN FORCE

The Validity Search Service (VSS) is one of the Global Patent Search Services of the Visegrad Patent Institute (VPI) that is available to anybody worldwide regardless of nationality. VSS is provided by the VPI under the Agreement on the VPI.

The Objective of Validity Search Service (VSS)

Validity Search Service (VSS) provides prior art/state-of-the art information for a given patent in force. VSS identifies patent documents and other publications that can be taken into account for the assessment of novelty and inventive step requirement in respect of a specific patent.

VSS can be useful in a number of situations when more information is needed about the relevant prior art in relation to a patent in-force. This information can be used when filing for an opposition/post-grant review or in litigation, and can help to build a stronger case for infringement claims, for example. An in-depth patent search can also protect investments before a transaction in respect of the given patent.

The Process

The patent in respect of which the Validity Search Service (VSS) is requested has to be specified by the customer.

VSS by the VPI cannot be requested in respect of patents granted by any of the IP Offices of the Contracting States of the VPI.

VSS is performed using databases of both patent and non-patent literature, which cover the minimum documentation specified by the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). VSS is provided in English. The Order Form for VSS is to be filed in English and all further documents are to be submitted in English. The Validity Search Report is also issued in English.

Orders for VSS shall be filed by completing the Oder Form for Global Patent Services. The Order Form is to be sent directly to the Secretariat of the VPI by mail or email.

Contact information of the Secretariat of the VPI:
Visegrad Patent Institute
mail to: H-1081 Budapest, II. János Pál pápa tér 7., Hungary
email to: secretariat@vpi.int

Download Order Form for Global Patent Search Services >>

Time Limits and Delivery

The VPI will establish a Validity Search Report (VSR) within four weeks from the date of the confirmation of the order that is issued when the order with all the necessary information enabling a meaningful search on the patent is available and the fee of the service was paid to the VPI.

The VSR contains the list of documents that can affect the validity of the patent (patent documents and other prior art data) with their relation to the invention contained in the given patent by means of relevant applied international category codes (i.e. X, Y and A). Detailed explanatory opinion is provided on whether the subject-matter of the invention contained in the patent in question should meet the essential requirements of patentability based on the cited documents.

Fee

The fee for the Validity Search Service (VSS) varies between EUR 1,000 and EUR 2,000 depending on the complexity of the case. A quote will be issued once the order form has been submitted by the customer. The fee for VSS is payable by the deadline stated on the quote. Payment of the fee constitutes explicit acceptance of the quote.

Within two months after completion of the VSR additional consultation with the examiner can be requested for EUR 100/hr. The deadline for payment of this fee is stated on the invoice issued after the consultation.

The fees shall be paid directly to the following bank account of the VPI by bank transfer.

Account holder: Visegrad Patent Institute
Name and address of bank: Raiffeisen Bank Zrt., 116-118. Váci út, 1133 Budapest, Hungary
IBAN: HU66-12012204-01799099-00200000
SWIFT Code: UBRTHUHB

Download General Terms and Conditions of Global Patent Search Services of the VPI >>