Uni-Tübingen

How do I research patents?

Types of research

By subject 

Information on patent publications relating to a specific topic or subject area, i.e., what is already known and if it is protected (= is it state of the art?).

By name

Patents published by a specific company (applicant) or person (inventor).

By family

If the patent publication is known (patent number, file number), information about which other countries have applied for or granted property rights in this regard.

By current law

If the patent publication is known (patent number, file number), information on whether a patent has been granted and is still valid.

By citation

In the case of known patent publications, information about which other publications are cited therein or in which other publications this patent is cited.

By country

You limit the results of a search (e.g., a subject search) to specific countries.

By date

Patents from a specific time period or search restriction.

By number

Content of an application/patent by patent number or file number.

File number queries

Below you will find a brief summary of the DPINFO information system’s research documentation; this is provided free of charge by the German Patent and Trademark Office.

File number formats in the patent and utility model register

  • German file number formats (7–12 digits, possibly with a check digit;)File number formats for patents registered in the GDR (DD + 6 digits without check digit or DDA + 6 digits with check digit)
  • EP file number (8 digits, possibly with check digit;)
  • EP publication number (EP + up to 7 digits)
  • PCT file number (PCT + country/year + 5 digits)
  • WO publication number (WO + 7 digits)

International Patent Classification, IPC

The IPC has four input fields:

  • IPC class (four characters: a letter, two digits, then another letter)
  • IPC group (max. 4 digits)
  • IPC subgroup (max. 6 digits)
  • IPC status (max. 2 digits)

Type of proprietary right (not for patents registered in the GDR)

The type of proprietary right may be entered from a drop-down list, but only in conjunction with other search criteria.
The following selection fields:

  • Patent file number
  • Utility model file number
  • National patent file number
  • European patents with German file numbers

Funding and licensing

The type of funding and licensing availability must be entered via a selection list. This selection is only permitted in conjunction with other search criteria.
Selection fields:

  • Declaration of willingness to license (declarations of willingness to license submitted in accordance with § 23 of the German Patent Act (PatG))
  • Non-binding declaration of willingness to license
  • Funding (applications or patents and utility models granted in connection with funding from the German Ministry of Education and Research)
  • Declaration of willingness to license and confirmation of funding (declaration of willingness to license under to § 23 and non-binding declaration of willingness to license as well as funding)

Type of patent, publication date 

When specifying the publication date, select the patent type: 

  • disclosure document
  • Patent specification

The date must be entered in the following format: 

  • Publication week (e.g. PUYYWW or PUYYYWW)
  • Publication date (e.g. YYMMDD981001 or YYYMMDD)