Free Patent Search

One of the first steps any inventor must take when pursuing a patent for an invention is performing a patent search. A patent search means looking through existing product, inventions, and patents to find out if the invention or a similar invention has already been made by someone. An inventor can undertake a basic free patent search on their own before contacting a company.

Inventor Tip:

Registering your idea early could be vital to keeping your rights. Sometimes it's a race to the patent office, as was the case with the telephone with two patents being filed the very same day. Do you even know the name of the OTHER guy?

Does This Invention Already Exist?

Most inventors come up with their idea by identifying a need or problem that they have encountered and devising a new, clever, or better way of addressing the problem. If the inventor had already found a product that took care of this problem, obviously they wouldn't be looking to fix it themselves. As a result, most inventors then have never seen anything like what they are trying to patent.

Free Patent Search Basics

While many inventors have never run into anything in their own experience that does exactly what their invention does, this doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't out there somewhere. The inventor can do a basic free patent search and product search by using the internet and common search engines to see if they can find a similar product online.

Free Patent Search Databases

Many free patent search databases exist online that will allow anyone to look through all of the existing patents in the country and in the world to check for patents similar to their invention. The most comprehensive of these is the patent search feature found on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website.

Professional Patent Search

Beyond a basic web search, most databases can be confusing and difficult to use properly. In addition, there are literally millions upon millions of patents in just the U.S., let alone worldwide. If an inventor hasn't found any similar products in their own free patent search, the next step is to hire a professional who is experienced and trained in patent databases to sift through these millions of inventions. Keep in mind that just because something isn't being sold, that doesn't mean there isn't an existing patent or a patent which is currently waiting to be issued.

Free Patent Search Benefits

Inventors can definitely help themselves out by doing a basic free patent search before pursuing their idea. If it turns out that the product doesn't already exist after getting a more detailed search done, then it's time to pursue getting that patent!