Value Delivered
GreyB explored expert forums and community-driven DIY projects to identify and document a novel feature in 3D printing technology that patent literature had not yet covered.
This discovery gave our client a strategic edge in patent litigation by clearly demonstrating the motivation to implement the feature in question. It also underscored our commitment to delivering unconventional solutions in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Problem Solved
The client was searching for a patent related to a filament-type 3D printer having multiple print heads. The novel feature of the purge/cleaning tower in the 3D printer presented significant challenges in locating the prior art.
The absence of relevant documentation suggested that the feature was not yet recognized in existing patents. Despite employing a range of traditional search strategies, we struggled to locate relevant literature that could invalidate this specific feature in the claim.
Solutions Offered
To overcome this obstacle, we shifted our approach from observing patents to exploring expert forums. Tech enthusiasts share insights on novel features and discuss DIY projects on these forums. We analysed the work of communities on these forums and reviewed various self-made prototype 3D printers.
Invaluable information and practical demonstrations of the purge/cleaning tower in the 3D printer emerged from the comment sections and individual blogs on a forum. This grassroots investigation revealed crucial details about the novel feature, while also providing the context and evidence needed to support the client’s case for patent invalidation
Get the full case study to discover how GreyB validated system prior art in high-profile litigation through physical device analysis.
Get the full case study to discover how a comment on a 3D printer forum became key prior art.
Request Full Case Study
Download in PDF Format and read anytime. Fill the form to get access to this article.
