How can you read a patent without going mad?

Want to know exactly what a competitor has protected? Reading a patent text can save you time, money, and trouble. But let's be honest: sifting through a patent text feels like reading your insurance policy's terms and conditions. Nobody does it for fun, but sometimes it is simply necessary.

Where do you start?

A patent document can seem intimidating. Pages full of complex legal and technical language are not something you want as an entrepreneur. But if you want to know what is protected, you have to bite the bullet. This is how I approach it:

1. Start with the summary - This is the fastest way to get a first impression of what the invention does. The summary often summarizes the patent in a few sentences. Is it relevant to you? If not, you don't need to read any further.
2. Read the claims (yes, really!) - The claims are the beating heart of a patent. This is where exactly what is legally protected is described. This part is often difficult to read, but it is here that you will discover whether the innovation overlaps with your technology or product. Tip: pay special attention to the independent claims (often claim 1), because these determine the core of the protection.
3. Look at the figure description - Technical drawings and their accompanying explanations are often a lot more accessible than long legal descriptions. They help you understand an invention more quickly, without having first to decipher all the complex wording.

Marco Coolen, photo © Bart van Overbeeke

Are you still stuck? Try this

Still feel like you're reading Latin? Then there is a handy tool: ChatGPT or a similar language model. If it is a published patent, you can enter the text and ask for a simple explanation. This can help you quickly gain insight into the essence of a patent. But beware: never do this with a draft of your own patent application! You absolutely do not want your as-yet unpublished innovation to be accidentally recorded somewhere.

Why it's worth it

Reading a patent is not the most exciting task, but it can be enormously helpful in mapping out what your competitors are working on and where the room lies for your own innovations. You avoid legal problems and know exactly how to work around existing patents.

And if you survived...

Let's be honest: sifting through a patent text is not the highlight of your work week. But when you're done, reward yourself. A good cup of coffee, a piece of cake or something else tasty. Because when you've struggled through a patent document, you've earned it!