Filtering patents

Use filtering to narrow your search results. Once you have added a concept, you can add, edit, or remove filters.

To apply a filter:

  1. Select Add Filter from the drop-down menu in the Search panel.

    Add Filtered Search

  2. Select a filter from the list of filter options. Expand one of the filter sections below for details on how to apply a specific filter.

    3. Select Field to Apply Filter

    • Filing Date, Priority Date, Publication Date—filter by dates using before, after, and on operators.

      • Use the following steps to apply the filing, priority, or publication date filters.

      1. Select the date option: Filing Date, Priority Date, or Publication Date.
      2. Select an operator such as before, after, or on to begin the date filter. Use the drop-down options for the month and the year to jump to the target date.

        Select Date Range and Filter Operator

      3. Select a day from the calendar.

        4. Select Calendar Day

      4. Click Save.
    • Country—the originating country of the patent.

      • Use the following steps to apply the country filter.

      1. Countries are listed by their 2-character codes. Begin by typing 1-2 characters. Relativity automatically displays a list of suggested country codes. Click a code to select it. You can select multiple entries; you can type other codes to refocus drop-down menu results. To remove a selected country code, click the remove icon ( x ) to the right of the code name. For a detailed list of 2-letter alphabetic codes, see the WIPO Handbook on Intellectual Property.

        2. Add Country Filter

      2. Click Save.
    • Status—the current status of the patent application.

      • Use the following steps to apply the status filter.

      1. Begin by typing a few letters. Relativity automatically displays the status. Click the status name to select. You can select multiple entries; you can type other letters to refocus drop-down menu results. To remove a selected status, click the remove icon ( x ) to the right of the status name.

        2. Add Status Filter

        Available status options are:

        • Granted
        • Pending
        • Withdrawn
        • Abandoned
        • Ceased
        • Expired - Lifetime
        • Revoked
        • Withdrawn - After Issue
      2. Click Save.
    • Assignee—the entity that has the rights to the patent.

      • Use the following steps to apply the assignee filter.

      1. Begin by typing a few letters. Relativity automatically displays a list of suggested assignees. Click an assignee to select them. You can select multiple entries; you can type other letters to refocus drop-down menu results. To remove a selected assignee, click the remove icon ( x ) to the right of the assignee name.

        2. Add Assignee Filter

      2. Click Save.
    • Agent—a person who assists inventors and attorneys with preparing and filing patent applications.

      • Use the following steps to apply the agent filter.

      1. Begin by typing a few letters. Relativity automatically displays a list of suggested agents. Click an agent to select them. You can select multiple entries; you can type other letters to refocus drop-down menu results. To remove a selected agent, click the exit icon ( x ) to the right of the agent name.

        2. Add Agent Filter

      2. Click Save.
    • Applicant—the legal owner of a patent application or patent.

      • Use the following steps to apply the applicant filter.

      1. Begin by typing a few letters. Relativity automatically displays a list of suggested applicants. Click an applicant to select them. You can select multiple entries; you can type other letters to refocus drop-down menu results. To remove a selected applicant, click the remove icon ( x ) to the right of the applicant name.

        2. Add Applicant Filter

      2. Click Save.
    • Inventor—a person or entity who contributes to the claims of an invention; the person or entity conceiving the invention.

      • Use the following steps to apply the inventor filter.

      1. Begin by typing a few letters. Relativity automatically displays a list of suggested inventors. Click an inventor select them. You can select multiple entries; you can type other letters to refocus drop-down menu results. To remove a selected inventor, click the remove icon ( x ) to the right of the inventor name.

        2. Add Inventor Filter

      2. Click Save.
  3. Add additional filters using the steps above.
    Relativity separates filters with the AND operator by default. Click AND to change it to the OR operator. Click OR to change it back to AND.

    4. Swap Operators On Filters

  4. Click Apply Filter.
    The List view results update according to your filter settings.

    Apply Filter