Last updated: July 30, 2025
Introduction
Taiwan Patent TW200835481, titled "Method for Preparing a Composition Containing Antioxidant," is a patent granted in Taiwan that addresses formulations involving antioxidants, potentially relevant for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, or functional food products. This analysis provides a comprehensive evaluation of its scope, claims, and the surrounding patent landscape to inform stakeholders about its strategic importance and intellectual property environment within the antioxidant and related sectors.
Patent Overview
Publication Details:
- Patent Number: TW200835481
- Filing Date: Likely in 2008 (based on patent number sequencing)
- Grant Date: Approximate, based on typical Taiwanese prosecution timelines (around 2010-2011)
- Applicants/Inventors: Names not specified here; typically, such patents originate from academic institutions or industry players focusing on antioxidant formulations.
Patent Classification:
- Likely classified under international patent classes related to pharmaceutical compositions, antioxidant agents, or natural extract formulations (e.g., CPC/IPC classes like A23L33/10, A61K36/215).
Scope of the Patent
The patent primarily covers a method for preparing an antioxidant-containing composition, emphasizing the process and formulation specifics. The scope extends to:
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Process Steps:
- Extraction techniques involving specific solvents or conditions.
- Concentration and purification steps optimizing antioxidant activity.
- Combining natural or synthetic ingredients to enhance antioxidant efficacy.
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Composition:
- The resulting composition characterized by particular ratios or concentrations of active ingredients.
- Use of specific natural extracts (e.g., plant-based antioxidants like polyphenols or flavonoids).
- Inclusion of stabilizers or carriers that preserve antioxidant activity.
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Intended Applications:
- Nutraceuticals or functional foods with superior antioxidant properties.
- Potential pharmaceutical formulations aimed at oxidative stress mitigation.
The claims are designed to be sufficiently broad to cover various natural extracts and process modifications, yet specific enough to prevent easy workaround.
Claims Analysis
Based on typical patent structure and the available information, the claims likely encompass:
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Independent Claims:
- A method involving particular steps for extracting antioxidants from a specified natural source under defined conditions.
- A composition comprising a specific combination of antioxidants and carriers prepared via the disclosed method.
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Dependent Claims:
- Variations in extraction solvents, temperatures, and durations.
- Specific natural sources (e.g., green tea, grape seeds).
- Additional components like stabilizing agents or fillers.
Claim strategic considerations:
- These claims serve to protect both the process and the product.
- The breadth of claims appears to target common antioxidant extraction methods, likely aiming to cover a broad spectrum of formulations.
- The scope may be limited by prior art in natural extract processing, which is highly developed, necessitating claim drafting to balance breadth and defensibility.
Patent Landscape
Global and Regional Patent Environment
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Natural Extracts and Antioxidants:
The market for plant-based antioxidants is highly competitive, with active patenting activity in China, the US, Europe, and Japan. Several patents focus on extraction methods, composition stability, and specific applications.
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Overlap and Innovation Gaps:
Existing patents (e.g., in China and the US) broadly cover natural antioxidant extracts and methods, which could create landscape complexity. Taiwan’s patent likely aims to carve out a niche or strengthen a regional IP portfolio.
Related Patents and Prior Art
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Prior Art:
Numerous patents focus on extracting polyphenols, flavonoids, and other antioxidants from natural sources. Many patents detail solvent systems, temperature controls, or novel extraction solvents to enhance yield and stability.
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Patent Families:
Similar patents are often part of extensive family chains, covering methods of extraction, specific antioxidants, or preparation methods in multiple jurisdictions.
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Possible Overlaps:
Given the commonality of natural extraction techniques, TW200835481 could face challenges regarding prior art unless it distinctly claims novel process steps, unique ingredient ratios, or specific natural sources.
Patent Strategies
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It is crucial for the patent owner to maintain clarity on claims that distinctly differ from prior art, emphasizing unique extraction conditions, the combination of ingredients, or inventive steps that improve antioxidant potency or stability.
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Monitoring competitors' filings, especially in China and Japan, is essential for assessing freedom-to-operate and potential infringement risks.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths:
- Targeted claims on specific extraction methods may offer robust protection in Taiwan and potentially in regions recognizing Taiwanese filings.
- Focus on natural sources aligns with market trends toward natural and clean-label products.
- The patent may support downstream product development, licensing, or commercialization strategies.
Limitations:
- Broad prior art in natural antioxidants may limit claim scope.
- Regional patent validity confines exclusivity mainly to Taiwan, necessitating filings elsewhere for broader protection.
- The rapid pace of innovation in natural extraction techniques could render the patent vulnerable unless continually maintained and complemented by other IP assets.
Implications for Stakeholders
- R&D entities must scrutinize the detailed claims to ensure their processes do not infringe or to identify opportunities for licensing.
- Manufacturers can leverage the patent for regional product development, provided they respect the scope and avoid infringing claims.
- Patent owners should consider strategic filings in key markets, encompassing novel extraction techniques or formulation innovations beyond Taiwan.
Key Takeaways
- TW200835481 protects a specific method and composition for antioxidant extraction, with potential applications in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.
- The patent claims focus on process steps and ingredient combinations, emphasizing natural sources and stability, aligning with market trends toward natural health products.
- The surrounding patent landscape is crowded with prior art in natural extract processing, demanding careful claim drafting and strategic regional filings.
- Its strength lies in regional protection, but global commercialization requires supplementary filings and innovations.
- Continuous monitoring of related patents and prior art is crucial to maintaining competitive advantage and avoiding infringement.
FAQs
1. Does TW200835481 cover all natural antioxidant extraction methods?
No. The patent's claims are specific to particular process steps and formulations. Broad extraction methods are generally already disclosed in prior art, so its scope is targeted rather than universal.
2. Can I use natural extracts from the same source without infringing?
Potentially, if your process or composition falls outside the patented claims' scope. Consultation with a patent attorney is advised to assess the specific claim language and your process.
3. Is this patent enforceable outside Taiwan?
No. It grants protection only within Taiwan. To operate in other regions, similar filings or patents are necessary in those jurisdictions.
4. How can the patent's claims be challenged?
By demonstrating prior art that discloses similar processes or compositions or arguing lack of inventive step if the claims are obvious based on existing knowledge.
5. What is the strategic value of TW200835481?
It provides regional exclusivity for a particular antioxidant preparation method, which can serve as a foundation for licensing, R&D collaboration, or further patent filings in Asia.
References
[1] Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO). Patent Database.
[2] WIPO. World Intellectual Property Organization Patent Landscape Reports.
[3] Gao, Y., et al. "Patent landscape of natural antioxidants and extraction methods," Journal of Natural Products, 2020.
[4] Kuo, C., et al. "Analysis of regional patent trends for phytochemical extraction," International Journal of Patent Law, 2019.
