01
Briefing
We discuss exactly what is to be researched: Is the aim to defend a challenged design, obtain a preventive market overview or examine a specific product design?
Evidence Intelligence for Design Studies and Prior Art Searches
Establish facts. Secure rights. Understand markets.
Design-related disputes are not uncommon. The stakes are often high: sales bans, preliminary injunctions, product stops or costly proceedings. UWI supports companies, law firms and design decision-makers with structured design studies and prior art searches relating to previously known design forms.
Design studies with reliable assessment
We investigate whether comparable product designs already exist in the market, since when certain forms have been used and which providers use similar designs. The results are not merely collected, but reviewed, dated and documented in a traceable manner.
- research into previously known design forms
- analysis of similar product designs and design variants
- dating of market appearances, catalogues and online findings
- assessment for defence, attack, advisory work or strategy
Your Benefits
Greater certainty in design conflicts and product decisions.
- effective defence against design and registered design claims
- usable evidence to avoid or defend against sales bans
- strengthening of legal positions through documented prior disclosures
- better understanding of competition, market environment and design development
- structured documentation for proceedings, advisory work and internal decisions
Process and Methodology
From the initial question to a usable design report.
Every design study begins with the correct assessment of the case. We then select sources, search parameters and depth of review according to the specific research objective.
02
Defining the objective
Together, we define search parameters and focus areas: relevant markets, design elements, time periods, product groups and the appropriate research variant.
03
Research phase
We conduct systematic research using the UWI search matrix in online and print databases, deep web sources, catalogues, archives and specialist publications.
04
Verification Call
Where necessary, we contact manufacturers or providers neutrally and discreetly to additionally verify market launches, availability or product information.
05
Evaluation and analysis
All findings are analysed, compared, placed in chronological context and prepared with images, source references and relevant dating information.
06
Report
The final report summarises the results in a structured way: visually prepared, traceably documented and directly usable for proceedings, advisory work or strategy.
Research Packages
Our packages — tailored to your needs.
Depending on the scope, objective and relevance of the case, we offer three scalable service packages for design studies and prior art searches.
light
€ 1,600 per country
Research time: 7 hours
Turnaround time: 5–7 business days
Compact market overview for an initial assessment.
normal
€ 2,200 per country
Research time: 10 hours
Turnaround time: 8–10 business days
Detailed report for legal disputes.
extended
€ 3,900 per country
Research time: 20 hours
Turnaround time: 10–12 business days
Comprehensive documentation for complex cases or expert reports.
Before research begins, we agree on the appropriate variant based on the specific question, product area and desired depth of review.
Contact
Get in touch.
Tell us briefly about the trademark, company, product, IP right or question involved. We will provide an initial assessment of the appropriate research scope.
U. W. I. Unternehmensberatungs- und Wirtschaftsinformations GmbH
Lindenweg 31
61231 Bad Nauheim
Germany
61231 Bad Nauheim
Germany
Fax:
+49 69 17 33 22
+49 69 17 33 22
Email:
info@benutzungsrecherchen.de
Linkedin
info@benutzungsrecherchen.de