This training introduces the significance of patent information in research, product development, and competitor monitoring. Participants will learn what patents are, how they relate to technological developments in their field, and why patent data is a valuable part of the research process. The session covers key databases and search techniques for effectively locating and using patent information.
Target Audience: Students, doctoral researchers, researchers, teachers, and staff
Duration: 60–90 minutes
Customisation: The training can be adapted to suit the needs of a specific discipline, project, or group
Key Topics:
- What patents are and what kind of information they contain
- The role of patent information in research, product development, and competitor analysis
- Patent databases: open services provided by authorities (e.g. Espacenet, Patentscope) and tools available at University of Turku
- Search techniques and interpreting search results
- Practical examples of how patent information can be utilised
