
The Coventry University Guide to Referencing in Harvard Style
Centre for Academic Writing, Coventry University
HOW TO REFERENCE PATENTS
1. A UK patent
In-text citation
Write the originator (company or designer) and the year the patent was granted.
Example
This non-slip stiletto heel was patented in the UK (Walk-on Inc. 2000).
Reference
Provide the originator (company or designer) followed by a full stop. Write the year in brackets then the title of publication in italics followed by a full stop, then give the series designation.
Example
Walk-on Inc. (2000) Non-slip stiletto heel. BG 3356754
2. An International patent
In-text citation
Write the originator (company or designer) and the year the patent was granted.
Example
The company owns an European Patent (Borg Warner Inc. 2005) for this innovative product.
Reference
Provide the originator (company or designer) followed by a full stop. Write the year in brackets then the title of publication in italics followed by a full stop. Indicate the origin by writing ‘European Patent’ or other information as appropriate, then give the series designation.
Example
Borg Warner Inc. (2005) Control Devices for Clutches and/or Gear Actuators of an Automated Gearbox or an Automatic
Transmission. European Patent EP 1519081 –2005-03-30