Notable aspects of the new patent search tool of Australia
IP Australia introduced a new patent search tool called the Australian Patent Search (APS) on March 20, 2024. This platform is currently running alongside its predecessor, the AusPat search tool, which has been in use since the mid-2000s. APS, featuring a more modern interface, is set to fully replace AusPat by the end of 2024.
APS offers both Quick search and Structured search features. According to Frazer McLennan, a patent information professional at Spruson & Ferguson in Sydney, the ability to use Boolean search strings in the Quick search field may explain the absence of AusPat’s Advanced search functionality in APS. Users can customize search result columns and see the number of results without executing the search, similar to AusPat.
One significant improvement in APS is the ability to download search results in .csv format, capturing all relevant data points, a feature that was difficult to achieve with AusPat, noted Gareth Dixon, principal at Spruson & Ferguson in Sydney. Additionally, the Help function has been made more accessible, now located at both the top and bottom of the page, enhancing usability for first-time users.
APS also enhances the Saved list feature, which can now hold over 500 applications compared to AusPat’s MyList function, which could store up to 300 records for a short period. However, McLennan has some reservations, pointing out that while downloading results as a .csv is useful, the ability to save searches for longer periods would be beneficial.
Dixon and McLennan highlighted concerns regarding name variations in patent searches. AusPat’s Advanced Search allowed users to type a few letters of a name to retrieve all its variations in the dataset, a functionality that seems less straightforward in APS. McLennan suggested that IP Australia could provide an option to list all name variations for better clarity.
Other issues noted include inconsistent font sizes and a lack of crucial navigation features on APS, such as page numbers being displayed only at the bottom of the search results page. Additionally, while bookmarked sections in APS offer a faster way to find information, they prevent viewing multiple sections simultaneously, which can be necessary. Printing or downloading a .csv are alternatives, though the latter may lack some information.
Dixon mentioned that APS does not clarify whether subscriptions or notifications from AusPat will carry over, recommending that users register with APS as well. While there are some bugs and no set timeframe for fixes, Dixon remains optimistic, stating that early indications for APS are positive and hopes that by the time AusPat is decommissioned, APS will feel familiar and user-friendly.
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