How to Conduct a Patent Search

October 6, 2009

Home Grown Detective Patent Search

First off in the simplest sense if someone has patented your idea already you will not be eligible for a patent. So the easiest way to figure out if you can get a patent is to look at items in stores and already in the marketplace. If you see your idea already implemented then it is unlikely you will be granted a patent (*unless it is an unobvious improvement).

Search Engine Patent Searching

1. Perform a Google search for your invention and see if it is in the market already. This is another really easy and free way to determine your likelihood of success. (Google also has recently launched a free patent search feature www.google.com/patents that makes for a great place to search for patents)

2. You can search the U.S Patent and Trademark Office online yourself (http://patft.uspto.gov/). The USPTO has a free search engine where you can perform a basic patent search yourself.  Any patent that has ever been issued is contained in the USPTO’s database so this is an ideal place to look for other inventions similar to your own.

3. You can also do a patent search by using third party search engines. Most of these won’t be free but there are several out there and some of them have special rates for individuals looking for only a 3 day or less search pass.

Profession Patent Search

While it’s completely possible to conduct a patent search on your own there patent agents, attorneys and companies out there that specialize in conducting patent searches. They have access to patent information areas that aren’t publicly accessible and they also will have a great idea where exactly to search for inventions similar to your patent. The patent specialists at Noro IP (www.NoroIP.com) are eager to help you in your patent searching endeavors and they can do so for less than $500 in most cases.  For more information regarding Noro IP's patent searches or patent applications, please see our patentability search or patent application pages. 

Regardless of your choice everyone here at Noro IP wishes you the best of luck!

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