This article examines a number of popular and free resources for conducting a preliminary patent search. However, it must be stressed that even if a prospective Patent Applicant conducts their own preliminary patent search to gain a better understanding of existing technologies that are related to an invention, a professional patent search (coupled with attorney [...]
Although a prior art/patent search is not legally required prior to filing a patent application at the USPTO, it is the view of many patent attorneys that a professional patent search coupled with attorney review is an important component of the patent procurement process. This article discusses the primary benefits related to a professional patent [...]