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"A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem." (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Patents offer valuable insight into recent innovations and provide technical specifications that can guide experimental design. They also enhance researchers' understanding of intellectual property rights, helping them navigate the patenting process and ensure their work receives proper credit and protection.
Below are some useful tools for finding patents:
Value-added patent information from Derwent World Patent Index as well as patent citation information from Patents Citation Index.
Espacenet contains all the patent documentation available to European Patent Office examiners and the latest patent applications from all the EPO member states.
Access for UCL students and staff only, UCL sign in required. Orbis IP links global patent and company data, covering all countries across the globe, it tracks approximately 145 million patents and links them to detailed company information and ownership structures.
"Standards are agreed ways of doing something, written down as a set of precise criteria so they can be used as rules, guidelines or definitions." (BSI)
Standards provide essential guidelines that ensure quality, safety, and interoperability across various fields. They offer researchers insight into best practices and industry benchmarks while helping them navigate regulatory requirements.
Below are some useful tools for finding standards:
Access for UCL students and staff only via the Institutional Login option with UCL username and password. Standards must be downloaded and opened via Adobe. The plug in FileOpen will also need to be installed. From UCL desktops this will need to be installed via the UCL Software Centre. British, European and International Standards, in current, draft and historic form.
Email your librarian to ask about a patent that you can't find, a standard that isn't included in our subscription, or for any further advice about finding patents or standards.
