Unified Patents Portal Overview
The Unified Patents Portal is a comprehensive platform designed to support patent researchers, inventors, and companies in navigating and protecting their intellectual property. Here are the key features and functionalities of the Unified Patents Portal:
Prior Art Searching
One of the standout features of the Unified Patents Portal is its advanced prior art searching capability. Through a partnership with PQAI, the portal offers AI-based prior art searching for US patents. Users can search for prior art in three ways:
- Using a “Find Prior Art” button on the patent detail page to generate a list of potential prior art patents.
- Searching for prior art related to specific claims within a patent.
- Conducting natural language searches to identify relevant prior art.
Full-Text Patent Search
The portal has expanded its capabilities to include full-text search of English patents, enabling users to search through the entire text of patents to find relevant information.
NPE Deterrence and Risk Analysis
Unified Patents is dedicated to deterring abusive practices by Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs), often referred to as “patent trolls.” The portal provides proprietary analysis of member companies’ exposure to current and potential future NPE campaigns. This includes access to the patent portfolio features of Unified’s PORTAL data analytics platform, which helps in identifying and mitigating NPE risks.
PATROLL Prior Art Crowdsourcing
The PATROLL program is a crowd-sourced initiative that encourages the submission of prior art to challenge questionable patents. Members can view the status of contests, all submitted potential prior art, and even sponsor contests directed at NPE patents. Successful submissions can be rewarded with cash prizes, typically around $2,000.
Additional Tools and Resources
- ISIX (Institutional Success IndeX): An objective measurement tool to evaluate law firm success at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
- OPAL (Objective PAtent Landscape): A landscape tool that uses objective measures to train a semantic algorithm, providing a clear and unbiased view of the patent landscape.
Membership Benefits
The Unified Patents Portal offers various benefits to its members, including:
- Access to update presentations and annual Patent Administrative Laws Conferences.
- The ability to consult directly with Unified Patents on NPE risk mitigation strategies.
- The option for Gold and Platinum members to display the Unified Patents logo, which serves as a deterrent to NPEs.
- Free membership for startups, with additional benefits available for different membership tiers.
Protection of Technology Zones
Unified Patents focuses on protecting specific technology areas, including Standard-Essential Patents (SEPs) and deterring unsubstantiated SEP demands. The platform is designed to support innovation, industry, and growth by safeguarding against abusive patent assertions.
In summary, the Unified Patents Portal is a robust tool that combines advanced prior art searching, NPE deterrence, and comprehensive patent analytics to help companies and inventors protect their intellectual property and navigate the complex landscape of patent law.