System and method for tracking patent ownership change

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system are provided for automatically tracking change in ownership of a patent listed in a database. The method comprises receiving input identifying the patent to be tracked for changes in ownership. The input further including data associated with a plurality of selected fields relating to the patent. The plurality of selected fields includes two or more of: name change in patent holder; date or date range of assignment; date of incorporation of assignor or assignee; place of incorporation, or address of assignor or assignee; nationality of assignor or assignee; and nature of assignment. Causing the presentation of each field in a user interface that receives input. Automatically performing a search of the database, on a predetermined regular basis based on the input received, identifying one or more intervening changes in ownership status for the patent. The search result is transmitted for display in the user interface.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A computer-implemented method of automatically tracking change in ownership of a patent listed in a database, the method comprising:
 receiving input identifying the patent to be tracked for changes in ownership, the input further including data associated with a plurality of selected fields relating to the patent, wherein the plurality of selected fields includes two or more of the following fields:
 name change in patent holder; 
 date or date range of assignment; 
 date of incorporation of assignor or assignee; 
 place of incorporation, or address, of assignor or assignee; 
 nationality of assignor or assignee; and 
 nature of assignment; 
   causing the presentation of each field in a user interface, wherein the user interface receives input;   automatically performing a search of the database on a predetermined regular basis based on the input received, wherein the search result identifies one or more intervening changes in ownership status for the patent; and   transmitting the search result for display in the user interface.   
     
     
         22 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , the method further comprising hosting a website, wherein the input is received and the search results are presented via the website. 
     
     
         23 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , including displaying the search result in a handheld or mobile device. 
     
     
         24 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , including receiving the input into a hardware-implemented input module. 
     
     
         25 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 24 , including configuring the input module to receive input selecting the plurality of fields relating to the change of ownership of the patent. 
     
     
         26 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of fields further includes the name of an assignor or the name of an assignee. 
     
     
         27 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , including filtering the search result in accordance with one or more of the fields using a hardware-implemented filtering module. 
     
     
         28 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , including formatting the search result for display using a hardware-implemented display module. 
     
     
         29 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , including retrieving the search result automatically from the database using a hardware-implemented input module. 
     
     
         30 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 21 , including storing the received search result in a hardware-implemented tracking module. 
     
     
         31 . A patent management system for automatically tracking change in ownership of patents listed in a database, the system comprising:
 a hardware-implemented input module configured to receive input identifying a patent to be tracked for changes in ownership, the input further including data associated with a plurality of selected fields relating to the patent, wherein the plurality of selected fields includes two or more of the following fields:
 name change in patent holder; 
 date or date range of assignment; 
 date of incorporation of assignor or assignee; 
 place of incorporation, or address, of assignor or assignee; 
 nationality of assignor or assignee; and 
 nature of assignment; 
   a user interface for receiving input facilitating the presentation of each field;   a search engine configured to perform an automatic search of the database on a predetermined regular basis, based on the input received, to allow identification of one or more intervening of changes in ownership status for the patent; and   a display module for transmitting the search result in a user interface.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the display module is configured to present user- selectable interface elements in a graphic user interface, the interface elements allowing data entry and corresponding to the plurality of fields. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising a filtering module for filtering the search result, based on the one or more fields. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the data input further includes the name of an assignor or the name of an assignee. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the search engine and display module are respectively configured to perform the automatic search and transmit the search result on a regular basis predetermined by a user, thereby notifying the user of any intervening changes in patent ownership status for the patent. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the input module is configured to receive input from the user defining the predetermined regular basis. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the system is web-based, wherein the input is received and the search result is transmitted and displayed via a website. 
     
     
         38 . A patent assignment tracking tool comprising hardware-implemented modules, the tool including:
 an input module for receiving input in relation to one or more assignment criteria relating to a patent listed in a database, the assignment criteria including data associated with a plurality of selected fields relating to the patent, wherein the plurality of selected fields includes two or more of the following fields:
 name change in patent holder; 
 date or date range of assignment; 
 date of incorporation of assignor or assignee; 
 place of incorporation, or address, of assignor or assignee; 
 nationality of assignor or assignee; and 
 nature of assignment; 
   a user interface for receiving input facilitating the presentation of each field;   a search engine configured to perform a search, on a predetermined regular basis, automatically at the database in relation to the patent, based on the input received; and   a display module for formatting the data and presenting the result in a user interface.   
     
     
         39 . The assignment tracking tool of  claim 38 , further comprising a filtering module configured to filter the result of the search performed by the search engine, based on one or more of the assignment criteria received. 
     
     
         40 . A patent portfolio management system comprising:
 a network;   a database, accessible on the network, and including data about at least one patent, and a server, operatively connected to the network, wherein the server includes:
 a processor, 
 a memory, 
 software operable on the processor to:
 receive input identifying a patent to be tracked for changes in ownership; the input further including data associated with a plurality of selected fields relating to the patent, wherein the plurality of selected fields includes two or more of the following fields:
 name change in patent holder; 
 date or date range of assignment; 
 date of incorporation of assignor or assignee; 
 place of incorporation, or address, of assignor or assignee; 
 nationality of assignor or assignee; and 
 nature of assignment; 
 
 cause the presentation of each field in a user interface, wherein the user interface receives input; 
 automatically perform a search of the database on a predetermined regular basis based on the input received, wherein the search result identifies one or more intervening changes in ownership status for the patent; and 
 transmit the search result in the user interface. 
 
   
     
     
         41 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform the operations of:
 receiving input identifying a patent to be tracked for changes in ownership, the input further including data associated with a plurality of selected fields relating to the patent, wherein the plurality of selected fields includes two or more of the following fields:
 name change in patent holder; 
 date or date range of assignment; 
 date of incorporation of assignor or assignee; 
 place of incorporation, or address, of assignor or assignee; 
 nationality of assignor or assignee; and 
 nature of assignment; 
   causing the presentation of each field in a user interface, wherein the user interface receives input;   automatically performing a search of the database on a predetermined regular basis based on the input received, wherein the search result identifies one or more intervening changes in ownership status for the patent; and   transmitting the search result for display in the user interface.