subject: 3 Ways To Doing A Patent Search For Your Invention [print this page] Most inventors will have their inventions patented for two reasons. One, so that they can produce it, put it on the market and earn from its sales, and two, to ensure that no one else steals their idea. Getting a patent gives you, as the inventor, rights over all aspects of your invention and the right to seek redressal should someone replicate or uses it without permission. If you believe you have created something unique, you should to go through the process of getting it patented to protect it, even though the procedure is rather long and expensive.
*However, you will first need to make a meticulous search to ensure that the same type of product has not been disclosed or patented already. You may already know what patents have been taken out on inventions in your field, but it would be better to do another check so that you are up-to-date before filing a patent application. If your invention crosses over other areas of technology you will need to do an in-depth search.
*Before filing your patent application, you need to look for previously filed patents and publ-ications that may reveal that the same idea has been thought of or that a similar product has already been invented. It is recomm-ended that you hire a patent attorney or agent to do a patent search. Just remember, though, that they will mo-st likely so a search on the Internet, and will not be liable for any mistakes or oversights they may make.
*You need to do a patent search because the first thing an assessor at the patent office will do on receiving your application is search the patent office records for similar inventions. If he finds any, he is likely to reject your application on the ground of "prior art", which means information that is already public knowledge by use, or in verbal or written form.
Despite following the above-mentioned tips, there is no guarantee that patent application will be app-roved. But there is no need to worry too much about that because you are doing the patent search to help lower your chances of applying for a patent for an invention that already exists, or is already public knowledge. You cannot possibly make a search for all "rior art" because that would entail a colossal investigation. One of the things you could do is to go in for a "patent pending" notice, which serves as a notification to other inventors and gives you time to do your research.
