---
title: "How are Patent Publications Organized?"
url: "https://help.quartet.pro/en/article/how-are-patent-publications-organized"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-07-15T11:11:41.675Z"
---

# How are Patent Publications Organized?

While Quartet searches each of the 170+ million patent publications, similar patent publications are grouped together using simple patent families.

Quartet is a family-based search system which utilizes DOCDB simple patent families. This means that patents and publications are:

1.  Grouped together in a simple family structure
2.  Displayed together with a representative family member
3.  Searched together as a family.

### **Benefits of a patent family**

-   De-duplicate results
-   Address data inconsistencies by combining all the family members’ metadata
-   Most families include a native English publication

### **What is a DOCDB simple patent family?**

A DOCDB simple patent family is a group of patents which are considered to cover a single invention. The technical content covered by the applications is considered to be identical. Members of a simple patent family share the same priority dates.

Simple patent families are grouped together using an automated process by the EPO which considers various priorities.

For a detailed look at what comprises a simple patent family, please follow this link to the [EPO website](https://www.epo.org/searching-for-patents/helpful-resources/first-time-here/patent-families/docdb.html).

### **What is a domestic patent family?**

Within each DOCDB simple patent family, patents are further grouped by domestic patent families. Domestic patent families are grouped by application and combine the published patent application and granted patent.