Non-Patent Literature (NPL) Search Services
Go Beyond Patents – Uncover Innovation Hidden in Plain Sight
At IIPT Solutions, we offer comprehensive Non-Patent Literature (NPL) Search services to support prior art identification, patentability assessment, and technology validation. NPL searches explore the vast world of technical literature beyond patent databases—including scientific journals, white papers, technical disclosures, standards, and more.
When evaluating the novelty and inventiveness of a technology, NPL can be just as critical as patents, and sometimes even more so.
What is an NPL Search?
A Non-Patent Literature Search involves scouring publications outside the patent ecosystem to find existing disclosures that could affect the patentability or validity of an invention. It includes:
- Peer-reviewed journal articles
- Conference proceedings
- Academic theses and dissertations
- Industry white papers and technical reports
- Product manuals and datasheets
- Standards (e.g., IEEE, ISO)
- Books, websites, and blogs (when credible)
Why is NPL Search Important?
✔️ Patent Offices Use It
Major patent offices like the USPTO, EPO, and WIPO often cite NPL during examination, especially in high-tech and life sciences fields.
✔️ Strengthens Prior Art Search
It improves patentability assessment, invalidity challenges, and freedom-to-operate (FTO) evaluations.
✔️ Prevents Patent Filing on Known Concepts
Avoid wasting time and money on inventions already disclosed in non-patent sources.
✔️ Supports Litigation and Opposition Cases
NPL is often a key tool in IPR, post-grant review, and patent opposition proceedings.
Our NPL Search Coverage
We use a blend of manual research and AI-powered tools to access a broad range of credible sources, including:
- Scientific Databases: IEEE, ScienceDirect, Springer, Scopus, PubMed, Wiley, JSTOR
- Academic Repositories: Google Scholar, ResearchGate, ProQuest, SSRN
- Technical Standards: ISO, ANSI, IEEE Standards
- Industry Portals and Product Data
- Open Access Archives and University Libraries
Our NPL Search Process
- Requirement Analysis – Understanding the technical scope and invention details.
- Keyword & Classification Strategy – Tailored search strings and filters.
- Database Search Execution – Accessing premium and public NPL sources.
- Document Screening & Relevance Analysis – Identifying documents that threaten novelty or inventive step.
- Detailed Reporting – Structured summaries, citations, and copies of relevant literature.
Who Needs NPL Searches?
- 💡 Inventors validating patentability
- ⚖️ Attorneys preparing for IP litigation or opposition
- 🔬 Researchers confirming novelty before publishing
- 🧬 Pharma/Biotech evaluating prior art beyond patents
- 🛠 Tech Startups avoiding infringement risks
Why Choose IIPT Solutions for NPL Search?
✅ Expertise in Cross-Disciplinary Technologies
✅ Access to Leading Scientific & Academic Databases
✅ Accurate, Legally Relevant Analysis
✅ Customized Reports for Patent Filing or Legal Use
✅ Global Coverage with Multi-language Capabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is NPL necessary if I already did a patentability search?
A: Yes. A patent search covers only registered intellectual property. NPL can reveal prior disclosures not filed as patents, but still relevant.
Q: Can NPL search be used for patent opposition?
A: Absolutely. Many successful patent challenges have relied on high-quality NPL findings.
Q: Do you provide full documents in your report?
A: Yes, we include full or excerpted content and proper citations for each relevant NPL document.
Make Smarter IP Decisions with Non-Patent Literature Search
Ensure your IP strategy is thorough, defensible, and compliant. Trust IIPT Solutions for high-quality NPL searches that dig deep into the global innovation ecosystem.
📞 Contact us today for a free consultation or quote.