Patent Search Procedures
Before filing for a patent, it's a good idea to search for similar existing patents. The U.S. Patent Office does not accept duplicate patents on identical or nearly identical inventions. In addition, you must reference similar patents in your patent application and demonstrate how your invention is substantially different. The U.S. Patent Office has resources both online and offline to help you find patents.
Other People Are Reading
-
Search Patent Text Online
-
You can search online for patents related to your proposed invention. The U.S. Patent Office allows you to search the full text of patents granted since 1976. You can search in a variety of ways. If you know the number of a specific patent that you want to investigate, you can search by patent number. Otherwise, you may search by date, field of invention, name of the patent or a combination of factors.
Search Images Online
-
The U.S. Patent Office also has scanned images of all patents going back to 1790. If you need to access a patent granted before 1976, search their image database online. The search ability for older patents is more limited than for recent patents. In the image database, you can search by patent number or classification code.
-
Visit the Closest Patent and Trademark Depository Library
-
The U.S. Patent Office maintains local Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries where patrons can search for patents in their home areas. Check the U.S. Patent Office website for the closest library to you. Local libraries may not have information about patents in other areas or may have limited resources. However, many PTDLs offer training in how to search for patents online or in the main patent library in Virginia. Librarians can also answer questions related to your search.
Visit the U.S. Patent Office in Virginia
-
The U.S. Patent Office maintains a pubic search facility in Virginia. Visitors may search online, search printed lists of patents or ask librarians for help. This library contains information about all patents filed in the United States, and visitors may be able to access some patents using microfilm.
-
