| With a little guidance, performing a patent search on | | | | service performs either a manual or an electronic |
| your own is easy and cost-effective and such | | | | review of the physical records at the USPTO, and |
| savings can be applied to the preparation and drafting | | | | they may request a meeting with a USPTO Examiner |
| of a patent application covering your invention. | | | | to conduct a professional and thorough search on |
| Performing a patent search is the most reliable way | | | | your behalf. |
| of discovering whether any similar patents or | | | | Remember to sign a non-disclosure agreement |
| applications exist, which may be relevant to your | | | | before disclosing your invention to a U.S. service |
| invention or could affect the outcome of your own | | | | provider. After the service is complete, you will |
| patent application. Being armed with this prior | | | | receive a stack of relevant US patents and patent |
| information known as 'prior art' serves two purposes: | | | | applications for your review. |
| 1. It helps to determine the likelihood of your | | | | 2. Review and evaluate the prior art references |
| invention obtaining protection in the US Patent & | | | | discovered in step 1 |
| Trademark Office (USPTO) and whether or not you | | | | Once you have completed the search and found |
| should invest money in filling a patent application. | | | | patents and/or patent applicants relevant to your |
| If a blocking patent is discovered during your search | | | | invention, you can begin your evaluation. |
| this will save you the expense of an application or | | | | Overview: |
| worse having filed and paid for a patent application | | | | * Review each patent and application located in your |
| and the USPTO finds the same blocking patent during | | | | search. Look for the elements, features, advantages |
| their search. | | | | and improvements listed in your Record of Invention. |
| 2. Information in the prior art can help serve as a | | | | * In particular, review each relevant US patent and |
| guide in drafting your application. | | | | application, looking for information on elements, |
| You will be able to focus the drafting of your | | | | features, advantages and improvements relevant to |
| application on the improvements and features of | | | | your invention. |
| your invention not previously disclosed in the prior | | | | * Thoroughly review, in order, the title, abstract, brief |
| patents and published applications. | | | | summary, and the drawings in the patent for initial |
| The procedure for conducting a patent search has | | | | clarification and understanding as to whether relevant |
| two steps: | | | | to your invention. |
| 1. Conducting the patent search | | | | * If determined to be relevant, read the entire |
| Conducting the search Yourself - Visit the United | | | | patent or application to fully understand the scope of |
| States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) at | | | | the disclosure and identify elements in the drawings |
| or Google Patents at and perform keyword searches | | | | by writing the element name on the drawings. |
| on keywords relevant to your invention. If you | | | | * Use two highlighters, one color to note elements, |
| prefer to use a professional service, you may still | | | | features, advantages and improvements similar to |
| choose to conduct a preliminary pre-screening | | | | your invention and another color to note elements, |
| yourself. Using your keywords, you will quickly see if | | | | features, advantages and improvements which are |
| someone patented your invention before you. | | | | dissimilar or teach something different from your |
| Using a Professional US Patent Service - A U.S. search | | | | invention. |