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Law Office of John B. Hudak, PLLC

An intellectual property law firm: patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

Patent Search Basics

How to do a patent search?

A patent search involves searching using two main elements: (1) relevant keywords; and (2) searching within relevant classes of existing patents. Many times, the search is preformed using: the internet (web browser); United States Patent Office database which if called the Patent Public Search; and an international patent database such as Escapenet.

Can I do a patent search myself?

Yes, a patent search can be done by anyone. When performing a patent search it’s important to understand elements of: (1) what to search with (keywords and relevant classes of patents); (2) where to search (internet in general; USPTO full patent and applications; international patents; academic journals, and more); (3) what is prior art which can prevent the issuance of a patent; and (4) how to interpret the basic elements of patent law (101: patentability; 102: novelty; and 103: obviousness) – as they relate to the ability of a patent to be obtained.

The Patent Office gives a Seven Step Strategy for searching patents

Using the Help functions for the different databases is very useful

Help tab right of the search results in the USPTO Public Patent Search
Google Patents Help Page for Searching
Escapenet Pocket Help Document (explains field searching, proximity operators, wild card operators)

How do I look up a patent?

Some places to look up patents are:

Look up a patent by using a Patent Number or other information such as words included in the patent document.

How do I search for a patent on Google?

When searching for patents on Google, generally, it is easier and more effective to use Google Patents instead of the plain Google search bar.

What is the best patent search engine?

Google Patents is probably the most intuitive patent search engine to use as a beginner. Also, Google Patents has the added benefit of showing US and non-US patents and makes the images within the patent easy to view. Although for some reason Google Patents tends to be glitchy – with missing patents -- mostly from not immediate updates from other databases.

The USPTO Patent Public Search is good for US full patents and US applications.

Escapenet is a good patent search engine for US and non-US patents.

What are some advanced strategies for searching for patents?

The USPTO website lists a Multi-Step Search Strategy that explains how to perform an accurate and broad search for patents.

Some advanced strategies are:

Perform a keyword search in Patent Public Search
Searching within the likely Cooperation Patent Classification (CPC), which the patent will be categorized under
Search exclusively for a design patents

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