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1.1.11.6 Useful Techniques ("piggy back/forward" searching)

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It is sometimes useful to peruse the related art (called piggy-backing/forwarding or threading or streaming) for an identified abstract that is clearly highly relevant and thereby locate other relevant documents at the abstract search stage.  As such, piggy back/forward searching involves looking at the cited art (piggy back) or citing art (piggy forward) of a small number of highly relevant patent documents.  This practice is especially useful for US, WO, EP and (some) GB abstracts, but should not be continued ad nauseam and should cease when less relevant documents are persistently located. This technique can also be used when only a few abstracts of relevance are identified. (see 1.1.19 Annex V – Internet searching 1)

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