patent searches uk

So you have that great idea or invention, now what? Well, in many cases you want to see if your invention is 1) unique and 2) protected. One of the first steps you need to do as Inventor conduct a patent search. If you do not want someone to pay thousands of dollars, you can always search, or at least a first version, you.

On the basis of a presentation by a patent depository library, we have 7 simple steps to start your own patent search.

1. Make a list of keywords that describe your invention. Consider function, use, structure and effect.
2. Browse the patent classes with your keywords
3. Determine the classification of your product fit. You can use the Manual of Classification to help.
4. Research classes and subclasses of patents to understand where your product at the best fit. You can subscribe to more than one class.
5. Put together a list of patents, so similar to your invention.
6. Check the individual patents to ensure non-infringement.
7. Look in the references in each of the patents, the forward and backward to ensure non-infringement.

Voila, that is the basic 7 steps to own a patent search. It can give you many hours, but you may save thousands of dollars.

Here is a great in-depth guide, how to make a patent search. It does not follow the same sequence of steps that we recommended, but then again there are more than one way to do this.

* This article is not limited to legal advice and we recommend consulting a lawyer.

About IdeaTango.com:

IdeaTango.com is a one-of-a-kind social networking website for inventors Act specifically about their great ideas. This "ingenuity of the Community" provides inventors interactive, collaborative and educational tools to help inventors connect with valuable resources and each other.

Inventor Bryan Daigle, president and founder of IdeaTango.com - No. 1 for Inventor