Research and analysis

The patent guide

A handbook on how to analyse and interpret patent data.

• From: Intellectual Property Office
• Published: 25 February 2015
• Last updated: 28 September 2015 — See all updates

Documents

The patent guide: A handbook for analysing and interpreting patent data

Ref: Second edition

PDF, 892 KB, 40 pages

Details

The Intellectual Property Office has produced this handbook to improve shared understanding between patent experts and those undertaking or using patent research. Topics include:

• patents as a proxy for innovation
• nationality
• citations
• claims
• patent families *
• patent classification *
• patent quality
• the value of patents

*These topics were added in the second edition.

Published 25 February 2015
Last updated 28 September 2015 + show all updates

1. 28 September 2015

   New topics have been included for patent families, patent classification and new updated PDF has been published.

2. 25 February 2015

   First published.