How to Check Patent Ideas
- 1). Browse the Internet for inventions or products with similar functions. Search the online patent archives of the countries where you may seek a patent. This will give you an idea of how original and patentable your invention is. For example, the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent archive database is http://patft.uspto.gov. The United States Patent and Trademark Office only recommends this procedure if you are experienced in searching for patents.
- 2). Visit the nearest Patent and Distribution Depository Library. Discuss your invention with experts at these libraries and search for existing patents for inventions similar to yours. Patent and Distribution Depository Libraries are archives of existing patents in America. These libraries are sustained by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
- 3). Seek counsel from a qualified and recommended patent lawyer. The lawyer can walk you through the complexities of patent law in your state and country. They can issue "patentability reports" for your invention and help you search for similar patents.
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