When you pursue a patent, few concepts matter more than prior art. Prior art forms the foundation of every novelty and obviousness determination the United States Patent and Trademark Office makes. Patent examiners do not evaluate inventions in isolation. They analyze them through the lens of what the public already knows. For independent inventors, understanding how examiners view earlier disclosures … Read More
Patent Searching Using the Lens
As I have written on earlier occasions, performing a patent search is a great way for inventors to get a feel for what’s out in the world of prior art before navigating the unknown and often perilous waters of the United States patent system. I encourage inventors to perform their own preliminary patent searches, as it is a great way … Read More
Patent Searching Using Google Patents
Determining whether an invention has already been patented or disclosed to the public is one of many important steps an inventor should take on the long road to bringing a new product to market. It makes good sense to have, at the very least, a general understanding of what’s out there before diving into the turbid waters of patenting … Read More
An Introduction to Patent Searching
Whether you’re a seasoned inventor or are attempting to patent your first invention, performing a patent search is a logical first step. It only makes sense to learn and understand what’s out there before embarking on the long, expensive and frustrating voyage of obtaining patents in the United States and abroad. And with today’s internet, accessing relevant patent information has … Read More