MightyRecruiterBusinesses and individuals file patents so that their intellectual property will be protected. A new invention or utility can be created, and the person who made it is entitled to certain royalties. However, before you go through the rigorous process of actually filing your patent, you need to make sure that it does not already exist. This means conducting your own research in order to determine if your invention has already been patented or if it is similar enough to an already existing patent to the point where it could be considered infringement. Doing your research can save you a ton of hassle, and one excellent resource is looking for patent information online.
1. Question: Can Research Only Be Done Online?
While the internet is a great resource, it is not the only one available to you. There may even be the issue of living in a place that does not have internet access. If that is the case, then you should find a Patent and Trademark Resource Center near you. At least one of these centers is located in every state, and some states have multiple ones. Not only do these centers have all the information you need, but they also offer training classes to make you more proficient in finding the materials you need.
2. Question: How Do You Get Started Looking for Patent Information Online?
There are resources online that go all the way back to 1790. However, you do not necessarily have to go back that far when you are trying to see if your invention already exists in some capacity. Patents are only allowed to last between 14 and 20 years. The exact length of time depends on what type of patent it is. After that window has closed, the invention enters the public domain where anyone can utilize it in their new patents. This helps narrow your search a bit.
3. Question: Are There Any Specific Websites to Check Out?
One of the first places you should visit is the website for the Patent and Trademark Office. This website contains a comprehensive database of all patents that have been filed in the United States. You will also find images of the inventions you are looking at, which can assist you in determining if your patent would be overly similar. If you are looking for other tools, then you should take a look at Google, which has a search engine dedicated to helping people find patents. Other websites are available to help you out, although many of them come with a fee that should be taken into consideration.
Regardless of whichever website you use first, you should absolutely double-check with other resources. Some databases may not be as thorough as others, and you may skip over something. It never hurts to double-check or even triple-check your research so that you can be 100 percent certain your invention does not currently exist.
4. Question: Should I Research Alone?
You certainly can research on your own, although it can be rather time consuming. The decision is ultimately up to you, but it is possible to hire a patent attorney to assist you in the application process. A legal professional would be able to conduct research as well in order to make sure your patent does not infringe on anyone else’s. There will be attorney fees, but you may lose a good deal of money and time if you choose to pursue this path on your own and end up infringing on a current patent.
There are not necessarily any right or wrong ways to go about collecting research. As long as you are thorough and do not commit an infringement, you should be fine. Pursue whatever method works best for you, and you can get started on creating the next amazing invention.
Legal Disclaimer
The content on our website is only meant to provide general information and is not legal advice. We make our best efforts to make sure the information is accurate, but we cannot guarantee it. Do not rely on the content as legal advice. For assistance with legal problems or for a legal inquiry please contact you attorney.