The first thing that jumps at you when you check out PatentEngine is the fact that there is no promise such as “the software drafts the patent for you”. The user must deliberately select and insert each and every piece of text into the patent draft that is prepared with the PatentEngine tool. The software makes suggestions for what you should put there but these suggestions are taken from boilerplate texts, and they are not generated from scratch by an algorithm.

That does not sound like being a time saver, but it is: according to measurements done by actual users of the PatentEngine which are German patent professionals, the minimum time saving per patent draft is 20%. And it can be up to 50% if you have built up boilerplate libraries for your specific technical area.

In other words, for someone that knows nothing about patent drafting: the PatentEngine drafting robot is like the Amplified Mobility Suit in the Avatar movie: it is a human-operated multi-purpose machine that amplifies the strength and mobility of a worker. It duplicates all functions of the worker, but faster and with more power. This is clearly different from software that converts a set of pre-drafted patent claims in one single step into a patent specification that is ready to file.

This Is How PatentEngine Works

Once you log into PatentEngine, you see your computer screen split into several windows:

The main window in the center of the screen is your patent application draft. It will grow as you provide input over time.

The “document structure” window in the upper left corner of the screen represents the current structure of your patent application draft. Yes, a good patent attorney thinks in terms of structure when doing a patent draft: structure is truth. In a patent application, the value of the content is enhanced if brought into the right context. And the right structure helps you to do that. The information in the document structure will grow as you provide input over time.

The “library” window in the lower left corner of the screen is used for looking up information. You use it as you go, for digging out information from other sources: local libraries, online databases, etc.

The “reference numeral” window in the upper right corner is used for displaying the current reference numerals list. Nothing beats reference numerals when creating clarity and support in a patent application. Give two different terms and one detail in the figures one and the same reference numeral and you have linked them conceptually.

The “figures” window in the lower right corner is used for displaying the current figures. Yes, figures are important for better understanding patents. In some jurisdictions, it is even a requirement that the subject matter of the claims is represented in the figures of a patent. After being in the patent profession for 30 years I can full-heartedly say to never underestimate the value of figures in patent applications. I have seen them saving the lives of patent applications for numerous times.

The aforementioned information is linked with each other: terms, reference numerals, details in figures, the structure of the patent application draft, plus where you put the terms in that structure, etc. Change one item, and the other items will immediately adapt to that change. The other software on the market that comes closest to that is Rowan Patents and – to some degree – PatentPal.

 

And The Result Is …

Here is how the Patent Engine webpage looks after filling it with information, for about 2 hours of work time:

Here comes your perfect patent application. Download it to your computer and file it.

You are welcome.

PatentEngine Is A Dream Fulfilled

Being a European and German Patent Attorney, PatentEngine is one of my old dreams being fulfilled: nothing is easily forgotten, slips of the pen are reduced, and no contradictions are created by doing a last-minute quick change of one detail. Of course, a human can do the same, but with less speed and with more mistakes.

Plus, working on a patent draft with two or three people is a breeze. The software is provided on a secure web server in the Internet. A senior patent attorney can draft the patent claims, a junior patent attorney provides the support sections for the claims, and a draftsman provides the figures and the figure description. These three people work in parallel while the PatentEngine automatically manages their inputs.

From the perspective of the senior patent attorney, this is the best automation provided ever. Compared with an A.I. solution, senior patent attorneys minimize their work time by letting simple tasks be done by people with a lower salary. And this is done without having to clean up the nonsense that an A.I. language generator would inevitably produce. That is what I understand as “quality before speed”.

And you will love this tool if you look after a large group of 20 (and more) people who spend their time drafting patent applications. You can finally get control over this flea circus!

 

PatentEngine’s USP

I find it quite insightful what the PatentEngine team highlighted to me during a meeting:

The software makes suggestions for text in a non-intrusive manner and in small chunks that perfectly integrate into the structure of the application and can be adapted to the individual needs. Never is there any magic text that has to be corrected or possibly contains computer-generated errors.

That sounds like a blunt statement against the use of A.I. in robot patent drafting but it is not. The Patent  Engine people have told me that they have an interface for importing A.I. generated texts into the patent draft. This is again done by a deliberate decision of the patent drafter, and not automatically by the PatentEngine Robot.

Anything else that you expect – or not – from a Patent Drafting Robot?

 

PatentEngine and Litigation-Grade Patents

If you want to draft a litigation-grade patent application, PatentEngine is the tool to go. Although it must be said that until today, almost all litigation-grade quality patent applications are drafted without the help of automated patent drafting software.

I love the PatentEngine approach. But please note that I am German by birth, and that comes with some pre-wiring when it is about quality, precision, and love of a perfect work result. If you have ever seen a litigation-grade patent then you know what I am speaking of. A litigation-grade patent demands respect: short time to grant, no amendments during examination stage, it survived any revocation or opposition with no or very few extra-limitations. No matter what you try to circumvent it, it does not present any vulnerable claim element. And it comes with protection for actually used products because there are specific corresponding embodiments provided.

In short words: by using PatentEngine, you can systematically crank the quality of your patent applications up. And do this in less time, as compared with the traditional way. That makes PatentEngine in my own view unique and special.

Test Drive The PatentEngine Drafting Robot

A fast-forward test drive of the PatentEngine software, similar to my earlier review of Qatent and PatentPal (click here), is not possible because you need some short training by the PatentEngine team. You will also need some guidance from the PatentEngine people before you become efficient in using it. I would say that you need half an hour to one hour training until you are good to go. But that’s it. You are then good to go and you do not need any more help!

The easiest way to find out more about the PatentEngine software is to watch the video on the manufacturer website Design To IP.

Once you feel comfortable with the idea behind this concept of computer-aided patent drafting then it is time to contact the PatentEngine people.

You can do so in person, very soon.

Here you go:

1st World Robot Patent Drafting Symposium 2022

If you want to find out more about Robot Patent Drafting then sign up to our 1st World Robot Patent Drafting Symposium 2022, here ip-lawyer-tools.com/rpdc2022/

As you can see on the symposium landing page,all the well-known manufacturers of patent drafting robots, including two suppliers from Europe (see the list of manufacturers under the item “Important Information”). Also, a good two dozen top-class speakers will take part who are either manufacturers or experienced users of these patent drafting robots. Even a group of mainly German attorneys who are opposed to such patent drafting software and who will be picking on the problems that come with patent drafting robots will be there, in two of the six speaking sessions.

The event is intentionally held in such a way that not everyone can participate. On the one hand, I am limited to 30 on-site participants and 150 online participants due to the format of the symposium. On the other hand, I want to offer an event where the real doers in the field of “drafting patent applications” can talk to each other directly, without being disturbed.

Here are the advantages of our World Robot Patent Drafting Symposium 2022:

– all (!) well-known manufacturers of patent drafting robots are present and can be contacted directly

– Every well-known software for the automated preparation of patent applications is presented by the manufacturer and they can be compared with each other

– Each manufacturer gives participants 100% money-back vouchers for testing their software

– Six speaking sessions, each 1.5 hours long, in which only information on the subject of “automated preparation of patent applications” is discussed, separated by topic

– No other topics (such as trademarks, designs, etc.) are addressed, it is exclusively about the topic “automated preparation of patent applications”

– two speaking sessions deal exclusively with dangers and problems when using software for the automated preparation of patent applications

– two speaking sessions deal exclusively with facts and technical conditions when using software for the automated preparation of patent applications

– the participants can exchange their contacts and exchange experiences with each other, e.g. about the use of software for the automated preparation of patent applications

– Participants get new ideas for using software when preparing patent applications

– Participation either 100% online or on-site in Cannes (limited seats only!)

– Immediately following our World Robot Patent Drafting Symposium 2022, the FICPI ​​World Congress 2022 will take place at the same location in Cannes, so you can combine both events

Unlike at a trade fair where many different providers come together, our World Robot Patent Drafting Symposium 2022 only addresses users who deal with the topic of “automated preparation of patent applications”. The providers of this software come together and can be addressed centrally. There is no walking around an exhibition hall, and online participants can participate without restriction, even if travel restrictions may apply.

Whatever the Corona virus does in the fall, the World Robot Patent Drafting Symposium 2022 will take place. We have modified and adapted video calling software to create a unique participation experience.

Another important point: there will be no video or audio recording of the event. I will publish a white paper with the most important facts after the event.

 

Call-to-Action

Go to that landing page https://ip-lawyer-tools.com/rpdc2022/ and please register for that event. We have started the official registration on 29 August 2022.

You can also register directly at Eventbrite, here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-world-robot-patent-drafting-symposium-tickets-396950949977

Please note that we are limited to 30 on-site participants and 150 online participants due to the format of the symposium. And we are promoting this event to about 25,000 people in the area of Intellectual Property.

See you at the convention, either online or on-site in Cannes/France.

 

Martin “Patent Drafting Robot” Schweiger