The use of a patent validity search is a very important step in the process of securing rights or in battling the claims of another holder.
The patent validity search serves several important functions in the patenting process:

• Determines whether a patent will withstand in-court litigation
• Provides in-depth analysis of patent art that can prove the validity or invalidity of a patent already obtained
• Determines the usefulness of a patent for licensing negotiations for those holding or for those desiring to manufacture a product or invention when the patent is owned by another individual

Patent validity searches are the most extensive search processes that can be undertaken regarding intellectual property matters.
For example, a corporation may desire to invalidate the patent of a competitor.
The corporation can continue searching patent records including prior art until they feel they have found some detail that invalidates the patent held by the competitor.
Because a patent search can be quite extensive and intensive, finding a company for patent validity searches that is professional, knowledgeable and that will leave no stone unturned in the patent validity process is essential.
These searches often entail searching through hundreds and hundreds of claims dealing with highly technical material on very specific subjects that require industry expertise.
Trusting the future of one's patent or the dissolution of a competitor's legal rights to an incompetent firm will result in the loss of profits or perhaps even the failure of a business over time.
Therefore, it is essential to secure the best, brightest, most rigorous patent professionals when it comes to conducting a patent validity search.
Below are several criteria to consider when your firm or business is looking for a patent company for your needs in regards to validity searches:

• Can the firm provide a dedicated specialist who will work on your validity search until all aspects of the search are exhausted?
• Does the firm have the technical expertise for research in the area required - geothermal energy, biofuel development, nanotechnology, nutritional supplementation, etc?
• What level of investigation on patents does the firm provide? Solely US patents? Foreign patents as well?
• What kind of deliverables will the firm provide in terms of reporting on the validity search? Search history? Keywords and classifications used? All identified documents?
• Is the company's reputation firmly established and credible in the patenting community?
• What do their former clients have to say about their work and researching skills?
• Is there "negative press" available online about the company's performance, pricing or guarantees?

These guidelines should be able to help individuals and companies that need patent validity searches to secure professional, excellent patent experts.
Good luck as you work on pursuing your projects.