Patents, Trademarks and Copyright Search

1. Patent Search

• Before investing valuable time in a patent search, you should determine your invention's novelty. Once you have jumped this hurdle, it is time to begin your search. A Foreign patent search can be done from the websites of most Patent Offices. Always begin your search using key words. If you do not find your invention, write down the class numbers and subclass numbers of the patents that you would consider to be prior art. Then search all of the class/subclass numbers in your list.

2. Trademark Search

3. Copyright Search

• If you discover an identical invention or trademark during your search, the search process is effectively complete, and the likelihood of obtaining patent or trademark protection may be very limited. However, finding patents that are similar to your invention is not necessarily a negative result. In many cases, even a small improvement or modification may qualify as a new invention.
• For example, a search involving semiconductors will reveal many patents that build upon earlier technologies. It is also possible to obtain a patent for an improvement to an existing invention and, in some cases, establish a cross-licensing agreement with the original patent holder. You should consult a patent attorney for legal guidance regarding these matters.

Please note that the search engines referenced above may only contain records from the past twenty years. Some inventions or trademarks may require a more comprehensive search. Additional research can be conducted through a patent depository library, such as those listed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Although librarians at these facilities cannot perform searches for you or provide legal advice regarding search results, they are often highly knowledgeable about patent research methods and can be a valuable resource.