This method is used to examine the novelty of an invention – whether an invention is new enough to be patentable.
Conducting a news study of an idea and exploring whether it already exists allows to show which inventions already exists, that might resemble one’s own. This way you can better assess whether to proceed with the idea and, if it is necessary to apply for a patent. Furthermore, this knowledge can be used as an inspiration in the further idea development, and news studies can thus be used in connection with the idea and concept development process.