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 course 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 that leverage natural language processing and machine learning technologies
- 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 & CEO
NLPatent
Ms. Curcio is an IP attorney and CEO of NLPatent - an AI software company with a leading patent search platform used by... | Read More
Ms. Curcio is an IP attorney and CEO of NLPatent - an AI software company with a leading patent search platform used by some of the largest law firms and companies in the world. She holds a number of leadership positions at national and international IP organizations including serving as Vice Chair of the American Intellectual Property Law Association’s Emerging Technologies Committee and is a Board Member of the Global IP Alliance. Ms. Curcio is a thought leader in the AI/IP space and is called upon to contribute to comment requests from national patent offices around the world, such as the USPTO, the WIPO and the CNIPA. Her work and contributions to the AI/IP community has made her a sought-after expert on these topics and a frequent speaker on applications for AI in patent practice. Ms. Curcio is consistently ranked as among the top 300 IP strategists in the world; she’s a “Global Leader” and “Powerful Woman” in IP, according to Intellectual Asset Management Magazine and the World IP Forum, respectively.
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