Introduction A state of the art search can be commissioned both internally and externally. Both variants have advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we explain how the state of the art is defined. Does the result serve as a basis for important decisions? 

Introduction The current state of the art is defined in the Patent Act (§ 3 PatG) as follows: "The state of the art comprises all knowledge which has been made available before the date relevant for the priority of the application by written or oral description, by use or