PATENT FAMILIES IN TECHNOLOGY INTELLIGENCE PROCESSES

Purpose: Patent families play their most important role when considering the extension of legal protection for particular inventions to different territories. There are a number of conceptual approaches for different intellectual property institutions. Thus, the aim of this paper is to demonstrate how to use patent family data for Technology Intelligence processes and the related sub-processes. Design/methodology/approach: We have analyzed the patent application structure and identified particular bibliographical entities to introduce patent applications as rich-structured and quality data. We have chosen to analyze patent family data records that are operated by the European Patent Office, particularly the Global Patent Index (GPI), to show possible analysis outputs. Our approach has been focused on the application of patent family data as one of the crucial sources for establishing an early warning system when it is considered as a key intelligence topic. Findings: We have defined the generalized patent application structure, then identified the patent family concepts and their possible use for particular technology intelligence sub-processes following patent data collection possibilities within the Global Patent Index, part of which is the EPO DOCDB database - the most significant bibliographic patent source. Research/practical implications: This method could be used in any industry, or when a competitive technology intelligence analysis of the key market technology player is requested. R&D managers, researchers and scientific community could also use it for state-of-the-art analysis verification, and decision-makers can support their investment strategy. Originality/value: Patent family concepts must be considered as one of the crucial sources when validating or discovering state-of-the-art and possible technology trends together with relationships between private companies, institutions and academia. We have put patent family data analysis possibilities in the context of intelligence business processes and shown their possible role in an early warning technology intelligence system.