The Dublin IP and R&D Summit 2022 returns this month after a two year break. As sponsors and exhibitors we’re looking forward to discussing our IP search services. In particular, how we can support companies with their research and development plans.
The 2 day summit kicks off on 23rd March 2022 with an IP Commercialisation Workshop delivered by Mathys & Squire Consulting Ltd. The workshop will go through all aspects of the IP lifecycle. Thereby, ensuring delegates leave with a greater sense of confidence in managing and obtaining value from their IP and intangible assets.
Day 2 is chaired by Joe Doyle of Enterprise Ireland. It continues with an interactive IP and R&D conference consisting of two streams of discussions. Both looking at the most contemporary trends in the world of innovation with heated panel discussions and standalone presentations from IP and R&D professionals at the top of their game. The streams share a common networking and exhibition space. Innovation professionals will interact and exchange experiences across these two interconnected verticals in the economy of innovation.
Timothy Parry, Director at Patent Seekers will be showcasing StartPoint a new service aimed at Inventors, Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups. In addition, we will be demonstrating PatWorld® as well discussing our other search services including Freedom to Operate, and Invalidity. If you’d like to organise a meeting with Tim please email timothyparry@patentseekers.com
PatWorld® is a business intelligence software and searchable patent database. It allows you to quickly gather, filter, view and analyse worldwide patent information. Competitively priced the database includes many advanced features as standard. Speak to Tim about a free trial of PatWorld. If you’d like to sign up for a demo for you and your team click here.
Tim Parry is the Business and Finace Director for Patent Seekers. timothyparry@patentseekers.com
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Patent Seekers are experts in providing Patentability, Freedom To Operate (FTO), Patent Busting, State of the Art, Patent Landscape and Mapping searches. Need help in deciding which search you need? Check out our article on selecting the correct patent search!
Would you like to work with some of the most innovative companies in the world as they create cutting edge technology?
Patent Seekers are seeking several highly motivated, high achieving individuals with:
Physics, Engineering and/or Computer Sciences/Software background capable of understanding complex technologies, to join our Physics/Mechanical Team.
Biological Science background to join our Biotech Team.
We are looking to recruit both trainee and experienced patent analysts to meet our expansion plans (Salary based on experience).
Benefits include: Remote working, Pension, Healthcare, Cinema and Gym passes.
This is a fast-paced industry, and we are looking to identify people who can support the search services we offer, these include:
Patentability/novelty
Patent and design busting/invalidity
Freedom to operate/infringement
State of the art, patent landscaping/mapping and competitor monitoring
Our teams of analysts (the largest in Europe) specialize in their technical areas, covering physics, mechanical, electrical/electronic, software, chemical, biological, pharmaceutical, consumer products and medical subject matter.
To apply for this role you will fulfil the following criteria:
A Science, Engineering or Biotech background and capable of understanding complex technologies with an Engineering, Physics or Biotech degree.
Thorough and methodical approach to research, data analysis and documentation
Independent, and intuitive while enjoying teamwork and cooperation
Good communication skills including fluency in written and spoken English
Everyone’s heard the phrase “fashion is cyclical” but how much truth is there in this statement? In the run-up to 2022 Fashion Weeks in New York (11-16 Feb), London (18-22 Feb), Milan (22-28 Feb) and Paris (28 Feb – 8 Mar) we analyse the patent data to see if it translates over to intellectual property? And, by utilising patent data, we set about finding out “Is Fashion Cyclical”.
The theory
A fashion trend is typically when a style of clothing, type of fabric or colour scheme sees a rise in popularity, suddenly finding itself in the spotlight and featuring in the wardrobes of style icons everywhere. Over the years plenty of these trends have come and gone; see for example flared trousers, double denim, the mini skirt… there’s plenty of options to choose from.
And yet, no matter how embarrassing some of these may seem in hindsight, a lot of fashion fads find a resurgence in popularity after a period out of the public consciousness.
The idea of a Trend Cycle itself is nothing new and can be applied to everything from music, television and books to the broader concept of art itself.
There is a basic theory that suggests trends have a 20-year lifespan; the time it takes for something popular to lose public interest, before reaching a high level of popularity once again.
As is also known to people within the world of intellectual property; in most countries a granted patent has an enforceable term of 20 years.
By identifying and evaluating two fashion trends, we intended to see if this matching 20-year lifespan is purely coincidental, or if a trend cycle can be identified within the patent data.
Trend One: Shoulder Pads
The first trend we decided to look into is the 80’s staple, the shoulder pad.
Figure 1, below, shows the filing history of shoulder pads related patents from 1980 to 2020. This chart was generated by analysis of the CPC classification A41D27/26: Shoulder-pads; Hip-pads; Bustles. The special rules of this classification state that it includes only shaping pads, not protection pads; making it a good match for this trend.
Figure 1: Earliest Priority Year vs Number of Patent Families
The data set contains a relatively small number annual filings, indicating that this doesn’t seem to be a particularly technologically innovative area. The filings appear to follow a pattern, with a small peak witnessed towards the end of the 1980’s, before dipping slightly to rise to a defined peak in 2001. This peak in filings remains at a near consistent high until 2007, after which filings appear to decline once more.
Viewing this data through the lens of the 20-year Trend Cycle, we can see a near perfect symmetry. Taking 2017 to be the low point that marks the middle of a cycle, we can look back at the previous 20 years, whilst also making a prediction for the future.
Looking back half a cycle to 2007, we can see this year is marked by a significant peak in filings, signifying the end point of the near constant high level of filings starting in 2001. Following the Trend Cycle to its beginning we would expect to see 2007 as the corresponding dip in filings; this is not the case, however the nearby low of 1991 may be able to be seen as the partner to 2017’s lull in filings, making this a 26 rather than 20-year cycle.
Based on this apparent cycle, we could expect to see shoulder pads making their inevitable comeback around 2027.
Trend Two: Bejewelling
From rhinestones to diamonds, on trousers or jackets, the second trend we chose to analyse is the versatile treatment of fabrics with jewelled materials.
Figure 2, below, shows the filing history of the fixation of particulate material to fabrics from 1980 to 2020. This chart was generated by analysis of the CPC classification D06Q1/10, which relates to decorating textiles by fixation of particulate matter.
Figure 2: Earliest Priority Year vs Number of Patent Families
These filings also appear to follow a cyclical pattern, although prior to 2000 the number of filings appears nearly insignificant to contribute to analysis.
Working in a similar manner as for shoulder pads, we can attempt to view these results in the terms of the 20-year Trend Cycle. 2016 stands out as the defining peak, containing around twice as many filings as any other year. Following backwards 10 years to 2006 we can see that this year does represent a dip in the near continual growth the filings had seen previously, if only a minor one. This could be due to the consistently minimal number of applications prior to 2000, which doesn’t allow for a defined analysis of any trends before this point.
Assuming this perceived dip in 2006 is true, we should therefore be able to assume the current decline in filings should continue until 2026. Which means that, unfortunately for fans of rhinestones, we may not expect this trend to surface again until 2036.
Conclusion – Fashion, is it Cyclical?
Fashion is forever moving forward, with recent years seeing the industry take a more active role in seeking environmental solutions. How much of what the industry produces is patented, or even could be, is an interesting question that may pose no definitive answer. However, within this short analysis, we have attempted to highlight areas of the fashion industry that can be clearly seen within intellectual property.
Both shoulder pads and the fixing of particulate matter on fabrics appear to show cycles in the number of yearly filings they see. These peaks and troughs may look inconspicuous, however when viewed in light of the 20-year Trend Cycle, a clear pattern does start to emerge.
However, this apparent cycle may also be related to the patent cliff; where following a patents expiry the innovation enters the public domain. In relation to fashion, this may be a time when it becomes assessable for the public to adopt a fashion that was previously protected by its patents, leading to the increase in popularity that could then see another wave of patent applications in this particular area, capitalising on the popularity.
In conclusion it is clear to see that the highlighted fashion styles undergo oscillations in the amount of annual filings, yet it is difficult to be certain if this relates directly to the trend lifecycle itself, or another factor such as the patent cliff. Based on the observed data however, we can always keep an eye on 2027 to watch for the return of a new wave of shoulder pad inventions and hopefully find our answer!
Article by Daniel Di Francesco, a Senior Patent Analyst at Patent Seekers. He is an expert in undertaking FTO, Patentability and Invalidity searches, covering all types of subject matter with specialism in the chemical field.
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Patent Seekers are experts in providing Patentability, Freedom To Operate (FTO), Patent Busting, State of the Art, Patent Landscape and Mapping searches. Need help in deciding which search you need? Check out our article on selecting the correct patent search!
Christian Hartmann, from our Toronto office attended the Future Food Tech Virtual Conference at the end of September 2021. Hosted in London but attended Digitally Christian was able to check out the latest innovations in food and food technologies.
The conference brought together food brand executives, investors and entrepreneurs from around the globe. Including from the health, nutrition and alternative proteins sectors.
With a focus on the Investors and Entrepreneurs pitching their technologies and products there were a number of exciting innovations on display.
In particular, The Gone in 60 Seconds: Start-Up Showcase, a pitch session for start-ups who had one minute to pitch their products demonstrated the importance of having a well researched and compelling narrative.
Do you understand IP? For some start-up companies and inventors Intellectual Property (IP) can be an unknown commodity. Having a basic understanding can help to inform business decisions and ensure you are able to support your innovation going forward. This could include approaching the relevant experts including intellectual property researchers such as Patent Seekers and/or patent, design or trademark attorneys for guidance as needed*.
With this in mind we were recently asked if there were any questions that newcomers to IP often ask. There are many, and so we asked Sue Leslie also relatively new to both IP and Patent Seekers, to develop an article answering some of these questions, including:
Should I keep my invention secret?
What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?
Can I carry out my own prior art search?
Developed from a newcomers’ perspective we hope it answers many of the questions people new to IP may face.
Do you understand IP? You can read the full article in the latest addition of The Global IP Matrix.
For further information on Patent Seekers services including patent, design and trademark searching please check out our Services page.
* For legal advice we recomend you speak to an attorney. Please see our Directory of Patent Attorneys for details of attorneys in your area.
Sue Leslie works as part of our Marketing and Business Development team, based in the UK but supporting development worldwide. Why not reach out on LinkedIn and grow your connections?
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Are you looking to discover areas ripe for innovation in the cannabis industry?
As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, what can your business learn to capitalise on this growing industry? Join Patent Seekers & ktMINE as we explore Intellectual Property and related transactions to shed light on future opportunities.
There are just a few spaces left for this insightful webinar, so register NOW to attend.
Jun 15, 8:00 am CT (2pm UK) – bit.ly/2QDGJc8
June 16, 12:00 pm CT (6pm UK) – bit.ly/3wkj13M
Patent Seekers are expert patent searchers and whilst we have a great understanding of what we do, we appreciate that others may not, so we’ve put together a short video detailing our services and why it’s beneficial to work with us.
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Alec Griffiths, IP Manager at Patent Seekers, will be sharing his knowledge on the Patent Landscape of AI at the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) forthcoming Computer Technology Committee Virtual Seminar. The event runs over two mornings on 25th and 27th May 2021.
For further information and to sign up for the event visit the CIPA website .
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Alec Griffiths & Christian Hartman from Patent Seekers are attending the GCI Virtual Summit between 8th and 10th June 2021, and are looking forward to participating in and sharing their knowledge on the cannabis industry from a patent perspective. Connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Social media for insights on the cannabis industry and more.
(Wilson Gunn) Leading practice of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys. Delivering a flexible first class service tailored to your needs.
I have worked with Patent Seekers for a number of years on patentability and freedom to operate (FTO) searches, and their searching expertise is second to none. They are also very client-focused and their quick turn-around times, in combination with user-friendly search reports, really helps to alleviate some of the burdens of completing searches.
Dehns, Founded in 1920 we have grown to become one of Europe's largest firms of patent and trade mark attorneys.
We have been using Patent Seekers for many years for patent searching, ranging from initial patentability assessments to invalidity searches. Tim and Dean are always highly responsive, providing quotes within a day and a detailed outline of their proposed strategy. I am consistently impressed by how quickly search results are returned. The team is happy to work with us to tailor a search to our needs and budget.
Ratner Prestia is an intellectual property law firm dedicated to patent, trademark, copyright and other international IP issues.
I am just dropping a line to let you know that I am impressed by your search firm. You consistently provide me with a large number of relevant references in a timely manner and in an organised fashion. I have used a large number of search firms in the past, and Patent Seekers is the best that I have come across to date. Keep up the good work.
Torrey Pines Law Group, PC is an intellectual property, regulatory services, reimbursement, and technology transactions law firm.
Torrey Pines Law Group has worked with a number of companies claiming to have expertise with patent and technical literature searching. However, in our experience over several years, Patent Seekers is the best. We’ve worked together on patentability, freedom-to-operate, invalidity, and infringement searches which has enabled our firm to draft meaningful legal opinions. Christian has also been an exemplary business partner, and Patent Seekers’ superior expertise, flexibility, and responsiveness really sets them apart. Most importantly, our clients are very satisfied with the results they receive — those results are highly trustworthy. Torrey Pines Law Group recommends Patent Seekers for all your patent and technical literature searching needs.
Beem Patent Law Firm is committed to helping inventors, companies, and referring attorneys get a good, strong, enduring patent.
Patent Seekers is our go-to firm for any search. Their results are thorough and well-targeted. Every aspect of their offerings, from their reports to their customer service, is highly professional.
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