EPO’s next-generation search tool for examiners now used in over 40 national patent offices worldwide
A new search era has formally commenced: the next-generation tool ANSERA-based SEARCH was developed by the European Patent Office (EPO) in collaboration with national patent offices across the EPO member states. The tool now provides more than 2 500 examiners at national patent offices around the world with a futureproof search solution for handling increasingly complex prior art, enabling its predecessor, EPOQUE Net, to be decommissioned.
The successful introduction of ANSERA-based SEARCH at more than 40 national patent offices marks a major milestone in the EPO’s commitment to delivering excellence through the use of digital tools, as set out in the Strategic Plan 2028. The search solution is closely based on the EPO's own highly sophisticated ANSERA tool.
Upholding the highest standards of patent quality internationally
ANSERA-based SEARCH (AbS) is a highly advanced solution that enables examiners at national offices to perform fast, efficient and in-depth searches across an exceptional range of databases covering worldwide patent documents and a unique, extensive collection of non-patent literature. Compared to its predecessor, AbS supports more sophisticated workflows: it manages enormous document volumes, intelligently ranks results, provides semantic-like retrieval features, and allows examiners to organise prior art in a clear and structured manner – all critical for accurately assessing novelty and inventive step.
Strengthening the innovation ecosystem
AbS will continue to contribute to harmonising high-quality search practices, strengthening co-operation with patent offices across the globe, just as EPOQUE Net did since it was developed by the EPO in the late 1980s. Recent developments confirm the European Patent Office’s leadership in patent quality and its commitment to providing advanced tools, shared data and common standards that support the world’s innovation ecosystem.
