Conducting a Patent Search

You can perform a patent search easily from any computer with an Internet connection.

Tutorial

A true patent search with a lawyer can cost thousands of dollars. You can perform your own patent search and save money by searching the US Patent Office's website.

Visit http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html and click on the selected search: Issued Patents or Patent Applications. Most people are primarily interested into the patents issued.

Click on Quick Search to quickly find patents related to your search. Enter in keywords and click Search.

The system will present a list of patent applications which match your search criteria. Click on the title or patent number to see the patent documents. You can view the patent information and the images associated with the patent.

Disclaimer: If you are filing for a patent, you should contact a lawyer to help you with the process. This patent search may not uncover a patent which already exists for your product or service. A patent attorney can assist you in this process.