Course Code: IPM571
Synopsis
IPM571 Patent Information & Search explores the technical and legal information contained in patent documents that are published by patent offices with the art and science of prior art searches. The course looks into how one can interpret a patent document, assess the implications of claims and apply patent knowledge to support the assessment of patents. Students will also look into conducting prior art searches, evaluating search results and identifying subsequent steps aligned to the rationale for conducting and evaluating prior art searches.
Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN
Topics
- Components and Function of a Patent Document
- Patent Status
- Implications of Claims in a Patent Document
- Patents and Patent Searching
- Understanding Patent Databases
- Types of Patent Searches
- The Mechanics of Searching
- Advanced Search Techniques
- Patent Analysis
- Reporting Search Results
- Search Tools
- Using Online Patent Search Services.
Learning Outcome
- Identify the components and function of a patent document
- Assess and recognise patent status
- Examine the rights conferred to a patent owner
- Distinguish between methods of assessing patentability
- Appraise the advantages and disadvantages of various search methods
- Examine the types of databases for prior art searches
- Analyse the rationale for conducting and evaluating prior art search results
- Critique the grounds upon which a patent can be challenged
- Evaluate the anatomy of patent documents to identify relevant information
- Assess the implications of claims in a patent document
- Apply patent knowledge to support the assessment of patents
- Formulate prior art searches using a variety of search methods
- Evaluate search results to determine relevancy
- Organise next steps aligned to rationale for conducting and evaluating prior art searches
Date & Time
| Day | Date | Week | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | 9 Jan 2026 | 0 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Friday | 16 Jan 2026 | 1 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Friday | 23 Jan 2026 | 2 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Friday | 30 Jan 2026 | 3 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Friday | 6 Feb 2026 | 4 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Friday | 13 Feb 2026 | 5 | 19:00 - 22:00 |
Who Should Attend
This course is strategically curated for a diverse cohort of professionals, as well as those seeking a formal transition into the Intellectual Property (IP) and technology management sectors. It serves as a foundational gateway, providing the essential technical competencies required for entry into the global IP ecosystem, and is designed to bridge the gap between general professional experience and the analytical skills needed for effective patent information retrieval and strategic IP analysis.
Relevance of Course to employment/upskilling/reskilling
IPM571 provides learners with technical proficiency in navigating global patent databases and conducting prior art searches, a core competency under the SSG Skills Framework for Intellectual Property (IP SFw). The course focusses on teaching learners to monitor competitor landscapes and identify freedom to operate risks. By mastering patent searching, learners gain insights necessary to guide R&D investments and mitigate litigation, making this an upskilling choice for Patent Analysts and Innovation Managers in Singapore’s tech-driven economy.
Requirements
A laptop is required for the coursework and typed-written examination.
Schedule
| Time | Agenda |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Introduction to Patent Search |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Relevant Legal Principles |
| Session 2 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Patent Documents and Patent Information |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Major Patent Systems |
| Session 3 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Types of Patent Searches |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Using Patent Databases |
| Session 4 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Search Methodology |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Search Refinement |
| Session 5 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Patent Search Evaluation |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Patent Search Reporting |
| Session 6 | Face to Face |
| 19:00-20:30 | Group Presentation |
| 20.30-20.45 | Break |
| 20.45-22:00 | Course Review and Summary |
Assessments
The overall course grade is determined by
- Group Assignment – 45%
- Participation – 5%
- Typed-Written Examination – 50%
Trainer info
Dr Lu Liru has years of experience in patent search and examination in the general field of InfoCommunications. She has rich experience in commercial searches, such as invalidity search and novelty search. She also serves as a mentor and trainer for new examiners. She is presently also appointed as an international expert of China-Singapore International Intellectual Property Innovation Service Center.
Before joining IPOS International, she held the position of Senior Algorithm Engineer at Huawei Technologies and served as a Research Scientist at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Japan. She was actively involved in IEEE Standardization activities in 802.11, 802.15, and 802.16 working groups and task groups, and she is an inventor of four JP patents. Additionally, she served as an advisor to the IEEE Library Advisory Council from 2016-2017 and as the Chairperson of IEEE Women in Engineering Singapore from 2017 to 2018. Furthermore, she has contributed as a session chair for several renowned conferences in past years.
She holds a B.E. (Hons.) in electrical and communications engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology, China; a Ph.D. in communications engineering from Nanyang Technological University; and a Master of IP and Innovation Management (IP Management) from Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Before joining IPOS International, she held the position of Senior Algorithm Engineer at Huawei Technologies and served as a Research Scientist at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Japan. She was actively involved in IEEE Standardization activities in 802.11, 802.15, and 802.16 working groups and task groups, and she is an inventor of four JP patents. Additionally, she served as an advisor to the IEEE Library Advisory Council from 2016-2017 and as the Chairperson of IEEE Women in Engineering Singapore from 2017 to 2018. Furthermore, she has contributed as a session chair for several renowned conferences in past years.
She holds a B.E. (Hons.) in electrical and communications engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology, China; a Ph.D. in communications engineering from Nanyang Technological University; and a Master of IP and Innovation Management (IP Management) from Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Course Completion requirements
- Attendance: Participants must achieve at least 75% attendance.
- Assessment: Participants must sit and pass all prescribed assessments and submit all course work stipulated in the section Assessments.
- Evaluation: Participants are required to complete course evaluations conducted by SUSS and SSG at the end of the training.
- Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice
Students who achieve at least 75% attendance and meet the course completion requirements will be awarded a Certificate of Completion. For those who do not meet the course requirements, a Certificate of Participation will be issued instead.
Course Fees, payment and refund policy
| International Participants | Singapore Citizens (below 40yrs), Permanent Residents | Singapore Citizens (40yrs and above) SkillsFuture Mid - Career Enhanced Subsidy1 | Enhanced Training Support for SMEs2 (Singaporean and PRs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Fees (A) | $3.600.00 | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 | $3,000.00 |
| SSG Grant (70%) (B) | 0% | 70% | 70% | 70% |
| SSG Grant (C) | 0% | $2,100.00 | $2,100.00 | $2,100.00 |
| Nett Course fees (A) - (C) = (D) | $3,600.00 | $900.00 | $900.00 | $900.00 |
| 9% GST on Nett course fees (E) | $324.00 | $81.00 | $81.00 | $81.00 |
| SSG Enhanced Funding Rate (F) | 0% | 0% | 20% | 20% |
| SSG Enhanced Grant (G) | - | - | $600.00 | $600.00 |
| Total nett course fees payable including GST (D) + (E) - (G) = (H) | $3,924.00 | $981.00 | $381.00 | $381.00 |
1 Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy: Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
2 Enhanced Training Support for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singapore citizens and PRs) aged 21 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
For the various payment mode, please refer here.
For the refund policy, please refer here.
A written request for a refund must be submitted and is subject to approval.
If written notice of withdrawal is given within the cooling off period1 and before the course start date, a full refund of the fees paid less an administrative charge of $110.00 (exclusive of GST) will be given. No refund will be given for withdrawal thereafter.
1 The cooling off period is defined as 7 working days after payment of course fee.
For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:
Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: [email protected]