Searching For and Finding Patents

When you’re creating a new invention or developing a new technology, one of the first things you should do is make sure no one else has come up with the same thing you’re developing. There are tools online you can use to search for patents, so you don’t waste your time trying to get a patent for something that already exists.

The best place to get started in your research is at USPTO’s official online database. The site has a good search functionality that allows you to search through patents by keyword. You’ll be able to pull up the full text on patents to see how close they are to what you’re trying to do. When you come across patents that look similar to yours, but you’re not sure if they’re so close that your patent won’t be accepted, it’s time to consult the professionals. A patent agency can let you know if it’s worth the time and energy to file and try to get a patent for your creation.

Searching patents is also a great way to check out a patent agency before you call and hire them. By doing specific kinds of searches through USPTO’s website, you can pull up all of the patents an agency has successfully been able get for clients. If an agency has a lot of successful patent applications, that proves they have the needed experience to make sure your patent filings go through without any unnecessary problems.

You can look through Central Coast Patent Agency’s previous patents by checking out our “Patents We Have Issued” page.