The Early Influence of Tagging
My familiarity with tagging started early, shaped by my parents' role as caretakers of our village library. Long summer breaks were filled with stacks of books, each marked with a distinct color-coded label based on the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system. These tags didn't just decorate book spines; they organized the library's catalog, creating a structured taxonomy that classified books by attributes such as reader age, genre, and sub-genre — adventure, romance, crime, science, and more. Bibliographic details like author names and page counts further refined the system.
While most visitors browsed the shelves based on personal preferences — the neighbor upstairs gravitating toward detective stories and the farmer's wife next door drawn to local romantic literature — the DDC system, established in 1876, ensured seamless retrieval of books long before digital search tools existed.
Tagging in Intellectual Property (IP) and R&D Intelligence
Tagging is equally crucial in modern information science, particularly in intellectual property (IP) and research & development (R&D) intelligence. Categorization is the backbone of efficient retrieval and analysis in patents and scientific literature. Every patent is assigned a classification, ensuring that examiners and researchers can locate relevant technologies quickly and systematically. Different databases use proprietary classification systems to organize patent and non-patent literature. Some of the most well-known include:
- Derwent World Patent Index (WPI) – A proprietary database that enhances patent searches with enriched indexing and coding.
- Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) – The go-to database for chemistry-related patents and literature.
- Medline – A medical and life sciences literature database.
Tagging in these databases can be manual, automated through text analytics, or combined. Some tagging systems are standardized, while others are customized for specific projects. In both cases, the goal is to enhance retrieval accuracy and ensure relevant data is easily accessible.
The Early Influence of Tagging
Tagging improves information retrieval. Ideally, search queries using classification systems should yield high recall and precision — capturing relevant documents with minimal noise or omissions. However, generic classifications such as broad patent categories or commercial deep indexing often lack the specificity required for precise searches, particularly in R&D-focused literature.
Unlocking Hidden Value Through Tagging
In my childhood library, village officials would periodically conduct inspections. Without flipping through a single page, they could assess the library's composition — how many books belonged to crime versus romance, fiction versus non-fiction — by observing the structured taxonomy in place.
A similar principle applies to analyzing patent or technology landscapes using classification systems. Patent categories offer insights into technological developments, while specialized databases like Chemical Abstracts provide invaluable resources for professionals in the chemical sector. Likewise, the Derwent World Patent Index is a valuable supplement to traditional patent classifications. However, these systems often fall short when more profound, granular insights are required — especially when non-patent literature must be factored in.
The Role of Custom Tagging in Decision-Making
If existing classification frameworks were perfect, information professionals wouldn't be needed, and there would be no demand for advanced retrieval and analytics platforms like Patsnap or Innography. However, every use case differs, and standard tagging methods often don't provide the depth needed for high-stakes business and R&D decisions. These methods can be limited in their ability to provide granular insights, especially when non-patent literature must be factored in.
Take the innovation challenge in vacuum cleaner brush technology as an example. An R&D director at a global vacuum cleaner company may need a specialized database containing all relevant patents and research papers categorized into a custom taxonomy. A generic search in patent databases would return thousands of patents, but without deeper structuring, critical insights could be buried under irrelevant results. Similarly, in the pharmaceutical industry, a researcher might need to identify all patents related to a specific drug to assess the competitive landscape and potential licensing opportunities.
We bridge this gap at Evalueserve IP and R&D by creating custom-tagged datasets. We develop tailored patent classifications, structure data into customized taxonomies, and provide on-demand access to real-time intelligence through our digital platform, Insightloupe.
Clients using these customized solutions benefit from the following:
- Competitive intelligence reports
- Technology landscape insights
- Technology scouting and open innovation opportunities
- Patent licensing and M&A support
- High-precision retrieval systems for quick searches
This approach means that rather than searching through cluttered, one-size-fits-all databases, our clients receive tailor-made knowledge hubs that provide precisely the insights they need — when they need them.
The Future of Tagging in IP & R&D Intelligence
The IP and R&D intelligence field will continue evolving with more advanced tagging techniques. These advancements have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of information retrieval and analysis. Some key areas of interest include:
- Machine learning and AI-driven tagging – How artificial intelligence is enhancing classification accuracy.
- Query formulation and optimization – Best practices for improving search recall and precision.
- Visualization tools for tagged data – Transforming raw datasets into intuitive, interactive insights.
- Evolving taxonomies and industry-specific classifications – Developing dynamic tagging systems tailored to emerging technologies.
Like my childhood library, I still rely on structured tagging to organize knowledge and unlock insights. My library at home is arranged with the same meticulous care my parents once used in our village library — not just for retrieval purposes but as an extended memory system that helps me see knowledge beyond my immediate perspective.
As tagging once helped visitors navigate the physical world of books, today, it empowers businesses and R&D professionals to navigate the ever-expanding universe of innovation — one structured dataset at a time.
