How to Search Patents

A patent is a set of rights that an individual can apply for to protect her invention. Those who wish to apply for a new patent are encouraged to first search current patents. You can also search patents to find the application and original depiction of any patented product, even just for the fun of it. Searching patents is free, and you can search from your home computer using the U.S. Patents & Trademark Office's official website.

Instructions

1. Visit the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office's online patent database, PATFT. Choose the patent search engine you would like to use. You can search patents by descriptive terms (Quick Search), string query using Boolean searches (Advanced Search) or, if you know the patent number of the invention you want to look up, by patent number (Patent Number Search). If you know the inventor's name or the name of the invention, you can use either the Quick Search or the Advanced Search to find the patent.

2. Search by patent number. Type in the seven-digit patent number, excluding commas or dashes, and click "Search." The patent's information will display on the next page.

3. Search by the inventor or assignee's name. For those who have only the inventor's name, you may need to weed through a few patents to locate the specific one you want to review. Using the Quick Search, fill in the inventor/assignee's first name in the first search bar and choose "Inventor" or "Assignee" from the drop-down menu next to the bar. In the second search bar, fill in the last name and again choose "Inventor" or "Assignee" in the drop-down menu. Click search.

4. Search by description or keyword. To increase your chances of finding the patent you are looking for, use the Advanced Search and come up with every possible keyword you can think to describe the invention. If you receive no search results, narrow down your keywords; likewise, if you receive too many results, add a few more keywords.

5. Add the patent record to your shopping cart to purchase certified copies. Once you have located the proper patent record, click the "Add to Cart" button at the top of the page. If this is the only patent you need records for, you can then click "Checkout" to continue to checkout process. If you have not already, you will need to sign up and create a username and password before you can complete the purchase. You can also call the customer service line toll-free at [phone] for help with placing an order.

Tips & Warnings

• While searching and printing patent records from your computer are free, certified copies of patent records might be necessary for other actions - like applying for a new patent on a modified version of your previous invention for example - cost a fee. You can review the current fees for certified patent records on the PATFT website.

References

• USPTO: Search for Patents

Resources

• USPTO: PATFT Database