How to Patent and Trademark Search

Before the internet, it was a lot harder to run a search for all the patents that existed. With the internet, it is very easy to check patents to see if you have an idea that can be marketed. I will show you how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Go to Google.com/patents, once you are on the home page, type in an idea you have in the search box. You should now be on a page where you will see a list of patents, that are related to the topic you typed.

2. Choose one patent from the list, that interest you. On the next screen, find the icon that says "read this patent". Click that link, and you will be able to see the entire patent document.

3. Read thru it, to see how your idea differs from this inventor's invention. You want to make sure, that if you get your idea patented that it is unique to you and is not infringing.