Conducting and Analyzing Prior Art Searches: Validity, Patentability, Infringement, FTO, State-of-the-Art Searches
Recording of a 90-minute premium CLE video webinar with Q&A
This CLE webinar will guide patent counsel on structuring and conducting prior art searches using traditional and next-generation tools. The panel will also discuss the reporting of search results and offer best practices for analyzing prior art searches to maximize patent protection.
Outline
- Prior art searches
- Patentability
- Validity
- FTO (infringement)/clearance/due diligence
- State-of-the-art
- Assignment/ownership
- Structuring and conducting the search
- Purpose
- Timing
- Scope
- Searching non-English language patents/applications
- Using AI tools such as natural language processing and machine learning
- Analyzing and presenting search results
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- What are the critical considerations when determining what, when, how, and where to search?
- What are the critical components of an effective search strategy, analytical process, and follow-up steps to enhance the possibilities of ensuring a successful patent application?
- How can Artificial Intelligence be leveraged to create an effective search strategy?
Faculty

Stephanie Curcio
Co-founder
Legalicity
Ms. Curcio is an IP lawyer and co-founder of Legalicity; makers of NLPatent, an AI patent search platform. She also... | Read More
Ms. Curcio is an IP lawyer and co-founder of Legalicity; makers of NLPatent, an AI patent search platform. She also serves as Secretary to the American Intellectual Property Law Association's Emerging Technologies Committee and Co-Chair of the AI Subcommittee. She has developed educational content on practical applications for AI in patent practice and has contributed to various responses to national patent offices' calls for views on AI policy considerations. She is further a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada's Internet and Technology task force on AI policy and is an active speaker on the topic of AI and patents. Before joining Legalicity, Ms. Curcio worked at two leading Canadian law firms, where her practice was focused on prosecuting and enforcing patents.
Close
Thomas L. Irving
Partner
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner
Mr. Irving has 35 years of experience in the field of IP law. His practice includes due diligence, patent prosecution,... | Read More
Mr. Irving has 35 years of experience in the field of IP law. His practice includes due diligence, patent prosecution, reissue and reexamination, patent interferences, and counseling, including prelitigation, Orange Book listings of patents covering FDA-approved drugs, and infringement and validity analysis in the chemical fields, as well as litigation. He has served as lead counsel in many patent interferences.
Close
Christopher C. Johns
Attorney
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner
Mr. Johns maintains a diverse patent practice, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications related to... | Read More
Mr. Johns maintains a diverse patent practice, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications related to electronics, software, telecommunications, and business methods; providing client counseling and portfolio management; and handling post-grant proceedings including inter partes review and covered business methods. He also provides freedom-to-operate opinions and has assisted on district court litigations related to telecommunications, computer software, and mechanical devices. Before joining Finnegan, he served as a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for nearly five years.
Close
Kim Jordahl
Founder
KSJLaw
Ms. Jordahl has extensive experience in portfolio management and IP strategy, as well as in the preparation and... | Read More
Ms. Jordahl has extensive experience in portfolio management and IP strategy, as well as in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in the United States and internationally. She has conducted numerous freedom to operate searches and invalidity searches and counseled her clients in light of the same. Prior to embarking on a solo practice, she spent 12 years as a law clerk/patent agent/attorney in various private practice environments and three years as Chief Patent Counsel of the Pillsbury Company.
Close